TPWD 1960 F-7-R-8 #621: Resurvey of Waters of Region 8B, Texas Game and Fish Commission, Project F-7-R-8, Job B-14

MEriOn Taele Coordinator Report cf Fisheries Investigations Rasurvey of waters of Region lnB Lee D. Lewis Project Leader and Lonnie J. Peters Assistant Project Leader Dingelleohnaon Project FwTARwB, Jab B-14 January 1, 1960 - December 31, 1960 H. D. Dodgen - Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Kanneth.C. Jurgens and William Ha Erna: Assistant Coordinators A.B S T R A C T Buffalo Springs Lake near Lubbock was resurveyed on several occasions to deters mine condition and growth rate of species stocked following a total kill treatment during the previous segment with rotenone. Satisfactory growth was evident during the resurvey in August, and the opening date of fishing was set for October 10, 1960. Periodic surveys were conducted at Buffalo Lake at Umbarger to determine condie -tion and growth rate of species stocked following a totalmkill treatment with toxae phone in April, 1959. During the survey in April 1960, all Species were in excellent condition but too small in size to interest most anglers. Since the small sizes were due to the short growing seasons of the Panhandle climate rather than to overwstocking, the project leader recommended to lake officials that fishing be postponed until sufficient growth was achieved. Contrary to this reconnendation, however, the lake was opened to fishing on may 1, 1960, as originally planned. Rita Blanca Lake at Dalhart was resurveyed on two occasions to determine effects of experimental management prestices initiated during the previous segment. Results of this work are given in the report, F~7~R~8, JOb Bml6. lake McClellan was surveyed to locate desirable seining beaches and to determine the feasibility of reducing an over-abundant white crappie population by coining. In July 1960, approximately 65,000 crappie were seined from Lake McClellan and restocked in other Panhandle and High Plains Lakes. During the resurvey of Lake Kemp from June 6w10, 1960, l,hh2 fish were taken. Only 213 or 1h 77 percent of the total gill net collection were game fish species. The total weight of fish netted was 1,557.19 pounds. Carpsuckers comprised over one-half or 56.52 percent of the total weight. All other rough fish comprised 32.h3 percent, and game fish species comprised 11.05 percent of the total weight. Younguof-theeyear gizzard shad were the most abundant species taken in seine colleen tions. Two new species were taken during the resurvey that were not taken during the yearwlong original survey. These were the spotted sunfish and the smallmouth buffalo. _ Comparison of average coefficients of condition of species collected from Lake Kemp during this resurvey with those taken during the previous survey showed signifie cant increases for carpsucker and carp, and a significant decrease for white bass. With the exception of white bass, smallmouth buffalo and flathead catfish, ”K“ factors of Lake Kemp species were quite the same as those in Lake Diversion. Seine collections indicated a very successful spawn of white bass this year. Most of the channel catfish taken had not spawned, but there were indications of a good spawn during the previous year, 1959. Although some of the female crappie collected were spent, no youngwofethe- year crappie were taken. Both crappie and largemouth bass were probably nesting at the time of the survey. None of the experimentally introduced redfish and speckled sea trout, nor their progeny, were taken during this survey of Lake Kemp. The first resurvey of Lake Kickapoo since the original basic survey and inventory in 1953 and 195k was conducted in.March, 1960. Basically the relative abundance of species is quite the same as it was during the original inventory. Rough fish have increased slightly, but Lake Kickapoo still supports an unusually high percentage of game fish (57.1% percent). Crappie was the most abundant species present, comprising h2.85 percent of the total gill net collection. Shortnose gar have become estab— lished, and shed and buffalo show a small increase. Game species were dominant in both weight and numbers. The most apparent change in the game fish pOpulation since 195h is the increase in mean weight for all game species. Both crappie and channel catfish are reproducing very successfully. No indies» tions of reproduction of largemouth bass and white bass for the previous year (1959) were found. However, most of white bass taken were heavily laden with eggs and milt, and with favorable conditions, they should spawn successfully in 1960. _ With the exception of carp, the general condition of all species was good. The "K? factors of all game fish were exceptionally high. In order to compare the effectiveness of our conventional sampling equipment with the equipment used by commercial fishermen, and to obtain an explanation for the difference in results of the two methods, Lake Kickapoo was surveyed simultaneously with both-types of nets. Results of both methods are compared and discussed briefly. Recommendations for improving the fishing of Lake Kickapoo include a selectivee kill treatment for the control of shed and drum, and-increased commercial fishing for the reduction of buffalo, carp and carpsucker. Segment Completion Report State of Texas Project no. F-T-R-B Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the_Waters of Region le. . Jdb No. B-lh Title: Resurvey of waters of Region luB. Period covered: January 12 1960 - December 312 1960 OBJECTIVES To resurvey waters in Region 1-B that have been previously surveyed so that possible changes in any aspect of the previous survey can be detected and recorded. INTRODUCTION Basic surveys and inventories of fish species have been conducted on seven streams and nine lakes in Region-1eB'within the past siX-years. It is logically expected that certain changes will naturally occur in these waters that may alter fish populations as well as chemical and physical factors. These waters were rem surveyed_as time permitted in the same manner as in the previous surveys, except on a much smaller scale, so that changes in the concerned waters could be detected and recorded. On the larger lake resurveys, such as those conducted on Lakes Kemp and Kickapoo, considerably more time and effort was expended than on smaller lakes which received only "spot checks". Therefore, detailed, separate reports were written on the row survey of Lakes Kemp and Kickapoo immediately following the field work and are pre» sented in this report in their original form. Buffalo Springs Lake On September 27 and 28, 1959, Buffalo Springs Lake at Lubbock and a part of its watershed was treated for a total eradication of fish species with rotenone compounds.. An account of this work is given in the Report, F-ltheh, Job 18a~10. Periodic resurveys were conducted during this segment to determine growth rate and condition of the species stocked after the treatment. In August 1960, Buffalo Springs Lake received the final survey prior to resump» tion of fishing. Satisfactory growth was evident at this time, and the opening date of fishing was set for Octdber 10, 1960. Buffalo Lake On April 15 and 16, 1959, Buffalo Lake near umbarger was resurveyed to determine results of the freeze-kills during January and February of the same year. Results of this survey disclosed that_the game fish populations had been depleted to the extent -2- that a total eradication of the remaining population was justifiable. The lake was treated on April 29 and 30 with toxaphene and restocked after the toxicant had sufm ficiently dissipated. Periodic resurveys were donducted during this period of study to determine growth rate and condition of the species stocked after the treatment. In April, 1960, a cooperative study was conducted at Buffalo lake with the regional biologist of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife.Service. Although all species collected at this time were in excellent condition, they were too small in size to interest the average fisherman. Since the small sizes were due to the short growing seasons of the Panhandle climate rather than to overmstocking, the project leader recommended to officials in charge of the lake that fishing be postponed until sufficient growth was achieved. 'Contrary to this recommendation, however, the lake was opened to fishing on May 1, 1960 as originally planned. Rita Blanca Lake Previous investigations at Rita Blanca Lake near Dalhart revealed excessive populations of bullhead catfish and golden shiners, as well as threatening popula» tions of carp and goldfish. As-a result of this work, an experimental management project was initiated to control excessive pOpulations of undesirable species. Rita Blanca was completely resurveyed on two occaSions during this period of study (May and October) in an effort to determine effects of these experimental management procedures. In order to prevent lengthy repetition, the reader is re» ferred to the report, Fm7~R~8, Jab B—l6 for details of these surveys. Lake McClellan Previous surveys of Lake.McClellan revealed an over-abundance of crappie, and recommendations were made for their reductisn.' The lake was check-seined during this period of study to locate desirable seining beaches and to determine the feasibility of reducing the crappie population by seining. In July 1960, approximately 65,000 crappie were seined from Lake McClellan and restocked in other Panhandle and High Plaina,Lakes, including Rita Blanca Lake, Buffalo Lake, Buffalo Springs Lake, Clapp City Park Lake and Reese Air Force Lake. lake Kemp Objectives To resurvey Lake Kemp to determine_species preSent, changes in relative abundance of species, and in conjunction 'with JOb le, to determine the status of experimentally introduced redfish (SciaenoEs ocellata), and speckled sea trout (Cygosicion nebulosus). Procedure Due to the large size of Lake Kemp, lack of equipment, and the tremendous ' amount of work involved, netting could not be extended to cover the entire area of the lake in one night. Therefore, for expediency, the lake was divided into three sections, and each section was netted separately for three consecutive nights during the period from June 6 through June 10, 1960. Two boats were used to raise thr nets, to reset the nets in a different section of the lake, and to bring the catch to -3... a central location for processing. "One Crew of two men remained at the field head- quarters to work fish, record data and collect game fish stomachs. Nets were fairly evenly distributed throughout the lake in water depths ranging from 3 to 50 feet deep. various mesh sizes were used, and some nets were set at the surface while others were set on the lake bottom. The total footage of gill net used during the three nights of netting was approximately 9,500 feet. All fish, regardless of size, were measured, weighed, and seXed. The contents of game fish stomachs were noted, as well as diseases, injuries, and other abnormal conditions. Seine samples were Collected with twenty foot minnow seines and prew served for later identification and counting. Findings Lake Kemp was constructed on the Big‘Wichita River in 1923 for purposes of flood control, irrigation, and recreation. It is a large lake (22,000 acres) with very clear water suitable for irrigation, but due to high chloride content is unfit for human consumption. With exception of black willow and salt cedar, rooted vegetation in Kemp is lacking. This is mostly because of the great fluctuation in water level caused by inflow from rains and release of water for irrigation. Fish Collections: The total catch for three nights of netting was l,hh2 fish of which only 213 11E.77%) were game fish. 'over oneehalf of the game fish were channel catfish.' Eleven largemouth bass, 39 crappie, 33 white bass and nine flathead catfish were taken. Species of rough fish taken were Shortnose gar, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, carpsucker, carp and drum. The carpSucker, by far the most abundant fish taken, comprised h9.10 percent of the total catch." Shad and carp each comprised about 15 percent of the total while shortness gar and drum tOgether accounted for an addi» tional 5.61 percent. One smallmouth'buffalo was taken, disproving the popular claim that Kemp has no buffalo (Table 1). Significant sex ratios were noted in carpsucker and shortnose gar (Table l). AlmOst 65 percent of the 708 carpsuckers taken were males. In view of this large number of river carpsucker taken, a deviation of 15 percent from a normal 50:50 ratio suggests either selectivity of nets, which from past experience is unlikely, or also suggests increased activity of males, possibly related to spawning. Since spawning was underway at the time of the survey, the latter reason is more plausible. The only discernible factor which could have caused the 23 percent deviation in shortness gar is that there was a considerable difference in average weights of males and few males of this species. The smaller male gar (average wt. 1.21) passed through the nets, whereas the larger female gar (average wt. 2.h7) became entangled more easily. The total weight of netted fish was 1,557.19 pounds (Table l). Carpsuckers comm prised over onewhalf of this total. Game fish weighed 172.00 pounds, carp 291.53 pounds, and shortnose gar l3h.00 pounds. In percent of total weight, carpsucker comm prised 56.52 percent, other rough fish 32.h3 percent, and game fish 11.05 percent. Seining with 20 foot minnow seines prOduced 67h fish (Table 2). Due to rockyp shorelines and clarity of water which allowed the fish to see the seiners and to escape, there was difficulty in getting a seine sample which was representative of the entire lake. Youngwofmthemyear shad were the most abundant fish taken by seine, and were found mostly in shallow, turbid headwaters. -a... Ten or less individuals were taken of nine of the fourteen species. The most common Species were Notropis lutrensis, Hypognathus placita, and fingerling Dorosoma cepedianum. Table 3 is a check list of species taken from Lake Kemp during this survey and during the original basic survey (see JOb'Bel,‘Project F-T-R-l). Two new species were added to the Kemp checkliSt of fishes.i These were the spotted sunfish (Lepomis puncta~ tus), and smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus). Although rare at present, the smallw 566th buffalo may become more abundant in the future and perhaps will be a competitor to the less desirable river carpsucker, carp, and gizzard shad. Food habits: Game fish were examined for identifiable stomach contents. Sure prisingly, while a very.few crappie and white bass had unidentifiable contents in their stomachs, most contained nothing at all (Table h). In channel catfish, the nxnn;.common ~:food items were aquatic insect larvae and fish. Insects were third in importance and grain and plant matter each were found twice. Other items in» cluded crayfish, mussels, and mammal remains. Only one of the nine flathead catfish contained food. It had eaten a-small fish. Three largemouth bass had eaten fish and insects. Condition factors: Comparison of'average “K" factor data collected on this sur- vey with data collected in 1953 and=l95h shOwed Significant‘increases for carpsucker and carp, and a significant decrease for white bass (Table 5). No explanation for these changes were noted._ In comparing WK"-factors from this survey with these of fish from Lake Diversion, some differences were noted. Lake DiverSion "K" factors that were collected prior to the rotenone treatment of DiversiOn were used because the 1957 Selectivemkill treatment resulted in considerable changes in average "K? factors. Postwtreatment data, therefore, would be'unsuitable for comparison with data from Lake Kemp, which has not been treated and where fish have not been.affected by unnatural population changes such as were brought about at Diversion. Except for white bass, smallmouth buffalo, and flathead catfiSh, "K" factors were fairly near the same (Table 5). White bass from Kemp had lower "K" factors than thOse from'Lake Diversion. Both sexes from Lake Kemp averagedéhl.aS'compared‘to males w 2.h and females 2.6 from Diversion. Kemp flathead catfish averagedCLQ which is considerably higher than the 1.5 average from Diversion. -However, all the flathead catfish from Kemp were gravid females which might account for the difference. The one smallmouth buffalo from Kemp had a “K" factor of 3.3 which indicates that buffalo in Kemp are doing well and may be expected to increase. Table 6 gives the "K" factor range and average "K" for fish taken from Kemp.during this survey. Spawning success: Seine sample-data shows a good spawn of white bass this year. Most of the channel catfish taken had not spawned, but the number of small channel catfish taken in gill nets indicates a good spawn in 1959. While some of the female white crappie were spent, no youngwofwthemyear crappie were taken. Probably both crappie and largemouth bass were nesting at the time this survey was_conducted. Discussion _ The fish population of Lake Kemp consists of about 85 percent rough fish according to our gill net collections. The most abundant species is the river carpsucker, which comprised £9.10 percent of our catch. From past experience, the relative abundance of freshwater drum cannot be accurately determined with gill nets, but is almOst certain to be much higher than the percentage our data shows (1.25%). ,5... The percentage of shad on our catch was l5.h0 percent. This is somewhat lower than was expected and compares favorably with the percentage of shad in Lake Diversion, which is about twice as high. This relatively lower percentage of shad may be attri~ buted to the more abundant carpsucker, the reduction of which_would probably result in an increase in shad. These two species, the least desirable we have, are similar in some respects. Food habits for example are very similar, and they probably come pets for both food and space. Therefore, the control of only one of these two fish may benefit the other insofar as space and food are concerned. The game fish species in Kemp include channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, black bass, crappie and spotted black bass. Of these, the channel catfish appears to be the most abundant. Crappie fishing in Lake Kemp is usually good, especially during the months of February through April, when fishermen often catch limits of crappie from around brush piles. Flathead catfish appear to be increasing and white bass are abundant. in Kemp. It is thought by many people that this is a desirable situation, but in view of the fact that most of our lakes are lacking in predator fishes, the absence of this species may be a disadvantage. Smallmouth buffalo are present in very small numbers. Only one adult specimen waS'captured. Redfish and Speckled Sea Trout; The results of our efforts to determine the status of experimentally introduced marine species were negative. Although a total of almost 10,000 feet of gill net were used, we did not catch a single specimen of either species in the nets, nor did we find young of either species by seining. It was not expected that one of the transplanted fish would be taken, however, because even if all have survived, there would be an average of only one per each seven surface acres. 'The odds of catching one under these conditions would be almost nil. 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