TPWD 1962 F-6-R-9 #781: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 8-B: Fisheries Reconnaissance, Job Completion Report

--- Page 1 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by ~ FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-6-R-9 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION 8-B Job No. B=20 Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: Alvin G. Flury H. D. Dodgen Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A, Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Program Planning February 7, 1962 --- Page 2 --- ABSTRACT Five lakes were visited during this segment to see if any appreciable changes in the fish populations had occurred since the previous survey. Also, four lakes in the Escondido Creek watershed were checked as well as portions of the Frio and Leona Rivers in Frio County. Largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked in the Nueces River in Zavala County. In Delta Orchards Lake, near Monte Alto, Hidalgo County, game fish species (channel and Rio Grande blue catfish, white crappie and freshwater drum) showed a relative increase in numbers and a relative decrease in weight. Rough fish species (spotted and longnose gars, gizzard shad, small- mouth buffalo, river carpsucker, carp, freshwater drum and Rio Grande perch) were found to be dominant in Falcon Lake, both by numbers and by weight. However, game fish species including white bass, largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish and Rio Grande blue catfish, are in good condition and anglers continue to catch nice strings of fish. Two significant changes were noted concerning the fish population in Fort Brown Lake. There was an increase in the number of gizzard shad and a decrease in the number of bfuegills. Current information shows that longnose and spotted gars, buffalo, carp, rivet €arpsucker, Rio Grande pefch, Rio Grande blue: catfish dnd white: crappie are now present in Béntsen State Park Lake. The lake was renovated in January 1960. Lake Casa Blanca's white crappie population showed more than a 17 per cent increase since the previous survey in July 1960. River carpsucker, threadfin shad, and channel catfish showed slight increases in numbers, percentage wise, but these "changes" are probably attributable to netting bias. Gizzard shad and freshwater drum were found in lesser numbers than in the previous survey. Three of the four lakes in the Escondido Greek watershed, checked during this segment, contained populations of bullheads. Sunfish, of one species or another, were present in all the lakes checked. The fish populations in portions of the Frio and Leona Rivers in Frio County were checked in order to formulate the fish harvest regulations for Frio County which is under regulatory authority of the Game and Fish Commission. Largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked in the Nueces River in Zavala County on the findings of the recent study (Project F-6-R~8, Job B-16) made on that river. No recommendations for Federal Aid developmental work are made in this report. --- Page 3 --- JOB GOMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. .E-6-R-9 Name; Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 8-B Job No. B-20 Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance Period Covered: January 1 through December 31, 1961 Objectives: To conduct limited investigations to obtain current information concerning gross changes in fishing conditions and factors influencing fish populations. Techniques Used: Experimental gill nets and seines were used to sample the fish populations. Nets were set overnight at previously established netting stations and were run the following morning. The netted specimens were weighed in grams and measured in millimeters in the field. Sex and sexual develop- ment and the occurrence of parasites in the individual specimens were noted and recorded. Seined specimens were preserved and taken to the regional fisheries laboratory at Mathis for identification. A list of the common and scientific names of fish species taken during this study is included as Table 1. Water analyses were made on Casa Blanca Lake but were not made on other lakes checked due to old or insufficient quantities of reagents. A limited check of the surrounding area of each lake was made to determine land usage and possible sources of pollution. Reference points were established on many of the lakes studie@ during this period for the purpose of comparing water levels. Fishermen usage of the various lakes was determined largely by talk- ing to camp owners, game wardens and sometimes fishermen. With the exception of the lakes in the Escondido Creek watershed, publié access is available to the lakes studied in this segment. Findings: Delta Orchards Lake Delta Orchards Lake, a 2,200 surface acre irrigation reservoir near --- Page 4 --- -2- Table 1. Checklist of Species Referred to in Texfuand Tables _—_— Alligator gar Spotted gar Longnose gar Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Mexican tetra Smallmouth buffalo River carpsucker Carp Golden shiner Pugnose minnow Texas shiner Red shiner Bullhead minnow Stoneroller Channel catfish Rio Grande blue catfish Black bullhead Flathead catfish Atlantic needlefish Sheepshead minnow Mosquitofish Amazon molly Tidewater silverside White bass Largemouth bass Warmouth Green; sunfish Redear sunfish Bluegill White crappie Freshwater drum Rio Grande perch Lepisosteus spatula Lacepede Lepisosteus oculatus (Winchel1) Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus) Dorosoma petenense (Gunther) Dorosoma cepedianum (LeSueur) Astyanax mexicanus (Filippi) Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque) Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque) Cyprinus ‘Garpio Linnaeus Notemigonus crysoleucas (Mitchill1) Opsopoeodus emiliae Hay Notropis amabilis (Girard) Notropis lutrensis (Baird and Girard) Pimephales vigilax (Baird and Girard) Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque) Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) Ictalurus furcatus (LeSueur) Ictalurus melas (Rafinesque) Pylodictus olivaris (Rafinesque) Strongylura marina marina (Walbaum) Cyprinodon variegatus Lacépede Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard) Mollienesia formosa (Girard) Menidia beryllina (Cope) Roccus chrysops (Raf inesque) Micropterus salmoides (Lacépede) Chaenobryttus gulosus gulosus (Cuvier) Lepomis cyanellus Rafinesque Lepomis microlophus (Gunther) Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque Cichljasoma cyanoguttatum (Baird and Girard) --- Page 5 --- wie Monte Alto, is a part of the Hidalgo and Willacy Counties Water Control and improvement District No. 1. The reservoir contains approximately 20,000 acre~ feet of water which is used to irrigate nearly 70,000 acres of farm land. Water in the lake originates in the Rio Grande River and reaches it through a system of gravity flow irrigation canals. Public angling in Delta Orchards is permitted for a fee of 25 cents per person per day. Trotline fishing, however, is prohibited except to certain persons who are issued special permission. That more than 20,000 fishing permits were sold in 1961, is some measure of the lake's popularity with sports fishermen. Of the 25 cents per day fee, a portion is paid to the concessionnaire and the remainder goes to the water improvement district. Netting - In March 1961, five netting collections took a total of 339 fish of 11 species (Tables 2 and 3). The game fish species taken in nets included channel catfish, Rio Grande blue catfish, white crappie and fresh- water drum. Normally the drum is considered a rough fish species, but is classed as a game fish in this case because Delta Orchards anglers harvest them in large numbers the year around. Of the total fish taken in nets, game fish species comprised 68.17 per cent of the number and 38.67 per cent of the weight. A year previously, game fish comprised 65.81 per cent and 28.62 per cent by number and weight respectively. This increase in numbers and weight in the March 1961 netting data may have been in part due to the commercial netting of rough fish from June through November 1960. Though no commercial netter was working the lake at the time of the March 1961 sampling trip, a six-month contract had been let by the water district for the summer of 1961. Compared with netting data for the same period in 1960, gizzard shad in the March 1961 collections increased about 4 per cent in relative numbers. Contrarily, smallmouth buffalo decreased about 5 per cent. A successful spawn for freshwater drum during the 1960 season was indicated by their increase of nearly 15 per cent in the 1961 netting data. These fish ranged in standard length from slightly less than 6 to over 11 inches. The average was 7 inches. Even though the concessionnaire reported anglers to be very successful in taking large numbers of white crappie as well as freshwater drum, crappie numbers decreased from 17 per cent of the total fish netted in March 1960 to 10 per cent in March 1961. The average "K" factor, or index of physical con- dition, remained fairly constant for white crappde: 2.20 in March 1961 and 2.22 in March 1960. Seining - The data for seining are inconclusive since only one collection was made and this took place during mid-afternoon at a time when a 20 to 25 m.p.h. southeasterly wind was blowing. However, 9 specimens of 3 species of fish were taken and these included: 1 Atlantic needlefish, 5 thread- fin shad and 3 tidewater silversides. --- Page 6 --- setoeds ysts aweD, PeyustTem Jou orem pue seTeos IOJZ aBze{ 009 stem ABB eseuL, €e°T9o €8° Te YsSt} yBnor jQueg 19g L9°8E LT°89 YSty ewes qQueg 190g 00°OOT 089‘ ZOT 00° OOT 6€€ sTe OF, wnip rTezeMysel7 (4 grrceene OaTUM YsSFFoTPseu of AUeyTIV ze Fsaee onTq epurrzp OTe zustsae° [euueyyD dizeo oTexzgng ygnowy Tews peys piezZzty ze3 ssousu0yT ze3 pezjods ze3 AOReSTLTIV TequUNN TeIO], usyeL, sapoadg SIYySZTOM jo quep t8d szequnn *TO6L YOLEN SeyeT spreyorg.ejjeq ‘8utTIQeU TITS Fo sq[nsey “7% eTqGeL FYqSTOM TeIOL JO WUeD A9g --- Page 7 --- a5= £I°? 02°72 VI°0 07°T 07'T €7°S S6°Z eL°T 6€°0 6S°0 * BVSELOAV $20}0eF cS°7-69°T OT*€-08°T ST°O-71"0 09°1-66'°0 0¢°T-07'°T £7" C-€7 °C 62° E-79°Z 7o°C-97°T 67°0-87°0 0Z°0-€S5'°0 *% wh °T96T WOAH fSeyeT spxeyorQ eITEq wozz YSTF soz sopasTzeqs yYySToM-yISUEq] *spunod oz ury3 ST*94T S8° ToT 00°72 cO° VTE 00°72TZ 00° 99477 T6°L62T St" 68 69° 962T 81° 992 * oouey aseLOAV sweis O€7-TS 9TE-77 c8-99 CCLE-179 CLC-71Z 9947~9977 8607-628 Z61-0S 8767~-7SZ 6681-TEZ * €7° 98T 16° Z8T OS *S9E 07° YLT 00°0972 00°99% 98° OSE cl OLT €c* E79 YS" 787 * C8C-9ET S92-86 9LE“SSE VSS-OLT 097-092 997-991 007-7TE SEC-SYT 668-€€7 S7O=LVE * aEueY ery |__| SIOJOUT TTT) YyISueT pzrepueqs ysTZ ystyaeo ote "€ eTqPL Te e813 peystem ysty {peprzoovez you squoweinseom 243T oM-YA3uSTy wunip re}eAYSeTg etddezo aqTyM STpesu of ueLIy enTq epuery oTy ystyjeo Touuey) dzey Fyn YINowyTT eus peys piezzty) 2e3 ssousu0T ie3 peqjods re8 107R3T TV sotoods i --- Page 8 --- _ Stomach analyses ~ Besides algae, most of the Rio Grande blue catfish stomachs examined contained insect and fish remains. A six pound Rio Grande blue catfish, however, had two Atlantic needlefish in its stomach. Stomachs of white crappie, freshwater drum and gars were also examined but most were completely empty and no significant food analysis data were collected. Other Lake Conditions - Although algae was found in several catfish stomachs, aquatic vegetation is rather scarce in the lake. This may be attributed in part to the fact that the prevailing, strong, southeasterly winds keep silt in suspension. This is evidenced by Secchi disc readings of light penetration which ranged from :22.*to 23:inches in the lake's east portion and from 13 to 14.5-inches in the west portion. However, since the water level is virtually constant, other forms of vegetation will probably become established. Recommendations: Since wild fish from the Rio Grande River have constant access to Delta Orchards Lake, population control work would be ineffective and therefore is not recommended. It is recommended, however, that commercial fishing with nets be permitted to harvest as many of the undesirable fish as possible. Commercial netters should not be allowed to take any of the catfish species in order that this population be kept as abundant as possible. In addition to the commercial netting of rough fish, it is recommended that white crappie and freshwater drum be cropped as heavily as possible by sport fishermen in order to make full use of these species. Falcon Lake Netting - A total of 12 gill net collections was made on Falcon Lake during March 1961. All were surface sets in water ranging from 10- to 70-feet in depth. In all, these nets took a total of 542 fish of 15 species (Table 4). Rough fish species comprised 75.46 per cent of the number of fish netted. This is 7.4 per cent decrease in numbers from comparable data for March 1959. There was a similar decrease of 5.2 per cent in the total weights of these species. Longnose gar decreased noticeably in numbers and weight in the March 1961 collections as compared to similar data for 1959. They comprised 12.58 per cent of the number and 34.86 per cent of the weight of the total fish netted in March 1959 but only 2.40 per cent and 14.48 per cent of the number and weight, respectively, in March 1961. On the other hand, slight increases in numbers or weights were recorded for the threadfin and gizzard shads, river carpsucker and carp. Rio Grande blue catfish were considerably more abundant in the netting collections for March 1961. In the March 1959 collectfions they comprised 9.89 per cent of the number and 5.38 per cent of the wéight of the total fish --- Page 9 --- YSTJ owes saqjecTputy €L°EL YSta ysnoy quep rz09g £0° 92 USfd ewep Juep 19q 00° 00T GLO*TOT 00° 00T ST eBIO] 8T°0 yoted apueirsy oTy 19° wnIp LoeJeMYyserg £0°? yetdderz. aatuM 8T°0 xUstyuns teapey 99°T xsseq yqnowes1e7 69° 4sseq eqTUM ce’ GT #STyqe9 antq espuezy oTY 99°T xUSTJIeO Teuuey9 87° T die C8°T aeyonsdies 190ATY ’ 12'S oTeyjnq YInowyT Tews 97°19 peys piezzt9 67°T peys UTFpePoerzyy, Or'Z ie3 esousu0y 8T°O 1e8 peqjods 3YysTaM Teo], JO quepg 190g (suei3) SQUBTOM- ZaqunyN Te OJ, Jo que9 reg ueye], siaquny setoodsg “T96T YOAeW “oye T uooTeg *Sr,4}30U T[T3 Jo saynsoy ‘y eTqey --- Page 10 --- ~Qu netted. In the 1961 collections they comprised 15.32 per cent of the number and 18.68 per cent of the weight. Gizzard shad and Rio Grande blue catfish were taken in all netting collections and longnose gar, threadfin shad and smallmouth buffalo were all well distributed over the lake. River carpsucker and freshwater drum were Limited largely to the upper portions of the lake. White bass were found mainly in the lower portions of the lake at the time of the survey. Table 5 shows the length=weight statistics of the fish taken in the netting collections. The average "K” factors of all species showed a slight decrease. Seining - Five seining collections took a total of 1,872 fish of 5 species. Tamaulipas shiners and tidewater silversides were taken at all seining stations. Silversides alon# comprised 92.59 per cent of the seining collections (Table 6); they showed 78,59 per cent in 1959. Threadfin shad, i a very important forage fish in the lake, was down to 4.43 per cent from 18.91 per cent in 1959, Other Lake Gonditioens - Secchi disc readings in the lower portions of the lake ranged from 50% to 55 inches while those in the upper portions ranged from 12 to 31 inches. Evidently the silt settles before reaching the lower portions of the Lake. Aquatic vegetation is scarce along the Texas side of Falcon; no investigation was made on the Mexican side. Algae was found in many of the catfish stomachs but no other aquatics were found. These findings are in line with previous studies of Falcon. Since Falcon is an international reservoir, no developmental work is planned for the future. Fort Brown Lake Netting - Four gill net collections were made in March 1961 and took a total of 120 fish of 7 species {Table 7). Of the 7 species, 3 were classed as game fishes (channel catfish, Rio Grande blue catfish and large= mouth bass) and 4 were classed as rough fishes ‘gizzard shad, bluegiils, freshwater drum and Rio Grande perch). Rough fish species comprised 89.17 per cent of the number and 75.03 per cent of the weight of the fish netted. Overall, this is a 7 per cent increase in numbers and a 15 per cent increase in weight of rough fishes since the 1960 survey. The majority of\ this relative increase is due to the gizzard shad. One freshwater drum was taken in the March 1961 netting collections. This was the first specimen of this species taken since the lake was sha aa in the spring of 1958. Apparently this fish was introduced from the Rio Grande River since the lake’s water supply comes from the river, Attempts were made to scree@i the incoming water before it entered the lake, but the screens con= --- Page 11 --- LS" LS*P-LS"¥y 00°STT STI-STI 00° 9€T 9ET“9ET OL*z SZ°E-L0°Z 9S °S0Z BL6-18 77° 881 STE“TVT 9L°Z 80° E=06°Z £Z°892 OS7-EL Sy L0z. 672-141 6L°€ 62° EMBL" € 00°6E 6£-6£ 00° TOT TOT=10T SE°Z Z9°ZL0°% 88°6LY 60L~SSZ LL°892 SOE=S7Z 1s*Z 26° 7-86 °T 08*S61 YE-STT 0S* 961 8E7~E9T ge'T OL*@-€1°T 16° €9€ EL9T-OS €0° 787 LLY~€8T 8S°T aL“ T-Le°1 ZL el 8SE=SS L8°€61 682~EST 18°Z SO°E-89°Z LE"S66 TEST=90S Z1°SZe SBESSSZ 90° LS" f-€9"Z — 0Z° 204 6v0I-sek Ov LLZ 6ZE=OTZ LO'€ 80° 7-€0°T €8°6Y8T ZLSE-60L 99° L8€ SSY~SEE 76°T S7°C-LE'T SL° LST Liry-€¥ $8° 961 £8@-121 88°T YI" CEE °T 8z "ES SL-9T 82° TT 991-€6 17*0 95°0=L1"0 69°008T SO0E~992 78° ZOL 088-807 LL°0 LL°0"£L£°0 06° 766 7667766 00°SOS SOS~SOS °T96T Yorey ‘oyeT Bool ed *‘sgou [[}3 [equewziedxe yApTM ueyeQ ysFZ jo sopastieqs VYSTem-yAsueT °S eTqer --- Page 12 --- 00°00T [eqo] Fo que9 19g ‘TO6L YWOABW SoyeT uoojeg ‘sq[nse1r Buruzes °9 eTqBL STPIOL, SPTSIBVATTIS LoReMePT I MouuTu peeysdeays ZeUuTYSsS pey Zoutys sedt [neue peys upzpeeryy, setoedg --- Page 13 --- STeqO3, «10» SPISAVATTS Lo}eMapPT], MouutTu peeusdaeys ZeuTYS pey ieutys sedty[neury, peys UT ypeerzyy [eqoe], Fo setoodg quay 13g ‘L961 YoreW foyB] uooTey ‘sq[nsez BuTUzes °9 eT qQR] --- Page 14 --- UST} sues soReOTpULy YsTF ysnor queso. 19g UST} owes QUugD A3eg CLO‘ TOT ST PIO] yored spueriy ofy Toe unip LTejzeMyselrg TIF8entT¢ xSseq YInowssieyT *xY4STFIEO ONTq spuerzy OTY xUSTyJReO Touuery) peys prezzt9 VYsTaM [eo] (sueiz3) iequNN Teo] uayeL JO queD tag S2y3TOM jo quepg 10g silequny satoeds “1961 YoreW ‘eye umorg 340g ‘ZutTQ}eU TITS Jo sq[nsoy “7 eTqeL --- Page 15 --- tinued to break dug to labk of attention. Carp comprised 25.72 per cent of the 1959 collections but none were found in either the 1960 or 1961 collections. Even though none were found in the latest two surveys, they are probably present in small numbers. The length-weight statistics of the fish taken in the nets are pre- sented in Table 8. Gizzard shad and channel catfish show slight increases in "K" factors. Largemouth bass show a slight reduction in "K" factors since the latest survey in 1960. i] Seining - No seining collections were made on the eke due to thick growths of submerged vegetation, which made seining almost impossible. Other Lake Conditions - Aquatic vegetation is a serious problem in this comparatively shallow oxbow lake. Najas, Chhra and Geratophyllum are the principal aquatic plants in the lake and are aided by the extremely clear water as indicated by the 72-inch Secchi disc readings. No vegetation control work was undertaken during this segment, although it may be necessary in the future to avoid a fish kill. So far no fish kill has been observed or reported. Recommendations? Perhaps a selective rotenone treatment of the lake to remove the gizzard shad and extensive trapping to remove excessive sunfish and Rio Grande perch would improve the largemouth bass and catfish potential. Success of such work, however, would depend on more effective screening of the water supply and \IB-not being préposed at this time. * Bentsen State Park Lake Netting - Five gill netting collections were made on this lake during the reconnaissance period; two were made in April and three were made in * October. The gill nets took a total of 94 fish of 14 species (Tables 9 and 1). Rough fish species (alligator, spotted and longnose gars, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker and Rio Grande perch) were dominant in both collections: 77.54 per cent of the number in April and 68.89 per cent of the number in October. This lake was chemically treated for/.a complete kill of fish in January 1960 (see Job Completion Report for Project F=-14=-D-4, Job 16a25) and restocked with largemouth bass in March 1960. Attempts in June to screen native fish from the incoming water of the Rio Grande River were unsuccessful (see Supplementary Report for Project F-14-De4, Job 16a25). The "K" factors of fish, as shown in Table 11, appear to be normal for this area. No data are available for comparison. Seining ~ Two seining collections took a total of 269 fish of 5 species; largemouth bass, tidewater silversides, mosquitofish, sheepshead minnows and --- Page 16 --- om i zy"s-60°7 | 0S *V70T VLE~SS €€* Ser 8ST=OLT yored epurzy oTy EL*CmEL°S 00° LEZ LEL“ZEL 00° 00€ 00€=00€ Tntp 197 eMYs ory \ CE" 7-6L°7 I 9E°SE OS=ZT 98° de OTT=08 TIFsenTg ZS*2-68'T SL*ylz LEL-06 Le*tzz = | = 80€~L9T sseq yynowesze7 98° T-8S’"T ce*LOLTt SZEZ-6Y0T 00° 097 00S-SOY ysty3eo entq epuery oTy 89° C~9E°S 00° 09€7@ 906¢~VL8T 00°TSY LLYHSCV Ysty3eo Teundeyp OL°2-16'T 95° €99 y96-SET | 91 €0E ; peys paezzt9 ‘L961 yore ‘oye T umorg Q10g *sq8U [IT3 [eqUeupredxe YATM Weyeq YSTJ JO SOTQSTIIS JYSTom=yQSUET °g eTqQe] --- Page 17 --- “Td YSTy ewes soVeoTpury, Ysty Ysnor Queso rz9g YsTy} emes Queso reg STBIOT, yorzed apurrzy oty unip AJa_eMYysely TIF8enT¢ 3xUINouzeM 4sseq YyAnowesie7 xXYSTJIBVO ONTq epurIzy oOTY deyonsdzeo 1aATY oTeysnq YANouy T eus peys prezzzy 1e3 ssousu0T 2Y8TOM Teo], (suei3) ZequUnN [#70], udsyeyL, JO USD tag | system Jo jUED 19g szoquny sotoeds "LO6L [Tidy ‘oyeT yrzeqd e7e9g Uesqueg *8utQQeU TITS JO sqTnsey °6 eTQeL --- Page 18 --- -15- UST} ames saRPOTpUTy USTF Ysnor Quad. 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The bass, taken in the April collection, ranged from 1 to 2 inches. in total length and represent successful reproduction by this species. Mosquitéfish were dominant in both collections. In view of the fish collections, it is clear that the benefits obtain- ed from the fish eradication in January 1960 have been nullified. Fishing is reported to be "fair"; occasionally, anglers catch some nice bass. The park manager said in October that one angler caught "a 15+ inch bass."' Some catfish fishing is done on the lake but with little success. Other Lake Conditions - The water level has been abnormally low all year, The upper portion (the bend) of this oxbow lake is dry, however, there are approximately 10 acres of water in both "arms" of the lake. Map 1 shows the approximate areas of water in the lake. Only that portion designated "east" was netted because no practical means of launching a boat in the "west" portion could be found. A new irrigation canal, completed in July 1961, was built immediately north of the park to provide more water for farmers in the Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement Districts Number 7 and 14. Water is pumped directly from the Rio Grande River to supply the canal. At one time it seemed as though an agreement would be reached whereby the park lake would get its water from the irrigation canal. However, no such agreement has been reached. Recommendations: Periodic netting and seining checks should be continued to check changes and developments in the fish population. Spring and fall checks should be adequate. No further developmental work is planned because of the unfavor- able water supply. Casa Blanca Lake Casa Blanca Lake is located about six miles northeast of Laredo in Webb County. This county-owned lake covers an area of about 2,000 acres and is the county's recreation center. Trotlines are prohibited in this lake in the interest of public safety. Otherwise, there are no special fishing regulations. Since Webb County recently came under regulatory authority of the Game and Fish Commission, the fish taken in the netting collections were divided into three categories: game, forage and rough. Netting - Four gill netting collections, made in September 1961, took 275 fish of 12 species (Table 12). Game fish species (channel catfish, black bullhead, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, white crappie and freshwater drum) comprised 57.45 per cent of the numbers and 53.66 per cent of the weight. Rough fish species (smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker and Rio Grande perch) comprised 12.72 per cent of the number and 38.71 per cent of the weight. Forage fish species (threadfin and gizzard shads, and bluegills) comprised 29.83 per cent by number and 7.63 per cent by weight. --- Page 21 --- -18- Map 1. Bentsen State Park Lake, | Mission, Texass Dry Dry N / / } { / / / / Dry Bentsen y / State / / Park / / Ai 4 PAT £ / 7 7 Scale 1" equals 660' st Legend: @ Area presently under water Grande --- Page 22 --- -19- YSTy owes soejzeoppuy € USTF Ysnor sajeopPpuy ne USTJ. o8eI0Z sojeoTpul ; © YST} BBerOJ JUS Aa9ag Ysty ysnor quedo stag YSty owes Quso rag 00° O0T STeI0L gPsed apueriy ofy mp TeqzeMysel a grt cseas o3TUM iiFsenia gesed YInouwse31e7T cUSFF389 peouqela gPeeuling yoeta cUSTF3e0 TouuRYD grenades LOATY zo1esgnq y3nowy Tews yPeus PlezZzTy pPeus UFFPeezyL AYSTOM TeRqoy | (suez3) aequny ~Teqjoy | usyzey], Sotoeds | JO qUaD 4eg SqU3TOM JO WUaD 319g siequinn "L961 tequeqdes ‘eyey eoueTg esep ‘*8urqqeu II#3 JO sa[nsey “ZI eTqeL --- Page 23 --- +20« Since the latest survey in July 1960, four species (threadfin shad, river carpsucker, channel catfish and white crappie) show relative increases in numbers and five species (threadfin and gizzard shads, river carpsucker, channel catfish and white crappie) show relative increases in weight. Of these species, white crappie show, the only significant "change" in numbers and weight. White crappie rose from 28 f7 per cent by numbfrs in 1960 to 46.19 per cent in 1961 and from 8.91 per cent by weight in 1960 to 27.89 per cent in 1961. The smallmouth buffalo was the only species found to show a substantial "decrease" both in numbers and in weight. In 1960, smallmouth buffalo com- prised 5.17 per cent of the numbers as compared to 0.36 per cent a year later and, they comprised 25.32 per cent of the weight in the 1960 collections as compared to 2.94 per cent in 1961. This interesting "change" is probably due to netting bias rather than an actual change in the fish population. Table 13 shows the length-weight statistics of the fish taken in this survey. It is interesting to note that three rough fish species (smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker and Rio Grande perch) show decreases in "K" factors while largemouth bass and white crappie show increases. Seining - Two seining collections took 470 fish of 11 species and one freshwater shrimp, Palaemonetes. The most abundant species, threadfin shad, comprised 89.71 per cent of the collections. Gizzard shad, red shiners, mosquitofish, tidewater silversides and bullhead minnows were found in lesser numbers. Only one largemouth bass, 90mm. in total length, and two white crappie 89-90 mm. in total length, were taken in the seining collections. Water Analyses - Two water analyses were made on the lake in con- junction with the netting and seining trip. At water sample tation No. 1, near the dam in open water, samples were taken at O-, 10- and"*20-foot depths. At Station No. 2, samples were taken at 0~ and 10-foot depths. Tests were made for dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, methyl orange alkalinity and pH. At Station No. 1, the dissolved oxygen content ranged from 5.8 ppm. at the surface (@ feet) to 1.2 ppm.at.20 feet. Carbon dioxide ranged from 0 to 5-ppm.from 0: to 20 feet respectively. Methyl orange alkalinity ranged from 144 to 176 ppm.and pH ranged from 8.4 to 8.6. At Station No. 2, carbon dioxide ranged from 12.0 ppme.at the surface to 6.0 ppm.at 10 feet. Methyl orange alkalinity ranged from 174 to 184 ppm.and dissolved oxygen ranged from 1.8 ppm.to 0.0 PPMg strom surface to 10 feet respectively. Turbidity, as measured with the Jackson turbidimeter, ranged from less than 25 ppm.in the open water at Station No. 1 to 151 ppm.at 10 feet at Station No. 2. The Secchi disc readings ranged from 21% inches at Station No. 1 to 9 inches at Station No. 2. These values are considered normal for this area. Recommendations: Gill netting and seining checks should be continued to check the --- Page 24 --- ~21= VI" 7-GB°€ 0S°6E7Z ysziczz OS "TST | €8T-O08T yoted epueszy ofy T€*Z-90°Z 00°28z =| = oveeoez 00°SEZ 72-022 unIp ezeMYserg g0°C2L6°T 96° 881 ZS9-S¥7 TT*O61 L87~61T efddezo eqTyM $0°439L°Z 91°SE EY-€7 91°66 €01-¥76 TIF8enTE SO*€~64°Z 00° 8021 9561-0941 00° 76€ 004-88¢ sseq yqnowesie7 €6°1-€6°T 00°TZOT TZOT-1Z0T 00°SZE SLE-SLE YsTyqeo peoyqeys 0Z°Z-07'Z 00°”Sy =| 9Sy-HS¥ 00°4Lz YLZ-YLZ PeeyTING yoelE T9°E-S7"Z T8°406 68ET-L9S Te"ZTE L9E-OLZ zeyonsdzeo reaTYy STE-ST'E 00° 7772 72e~9T7 00°Szy STH-S7Y oTeF3nq yInow] Teug 0Z*Z-8S"1 €6° TET ZTE-ZZ otset | scz-sor peys pxrezzt9 L0°€-09°T | 16°S¥ 89-E£ | 0S°92T ZST-O1T peys Upypeeryy Ey: seLOAV asuey os eloAy S10} oN [| [PUL UISUST piepuejs “1961 tequieqdeg Saye] eoueTg eseQ WO YSTJF TOF soTASTIeIS WYSToM-yIS3UET "CL e1qQeL --- Page 25 --- ic) Die fish population. No recommendations for developmental work are made at this time. Possibly, a selective shad kill will be needed later but more intensive study of the fish population is needed. Escondido Creek Watershed Escondido Creek rises in Karnes County, west of Karnes City, and flows in an e@sterly direction through the south central part of the county, emptying into’ the San Antonio River in the southeast corner of the county. The area of the watershed is 117 square miles. From 1954 through 1958, 11 dams were constructed on the watershed as a soil conservation demonstration; one on Escondido Creek and 10 on tributaries which drain into Escondido Creek. A basic survey and inventory of fish species present in nine of the 11 lakes was made in 1958-59 (see Job Completion Report for Project F-6-RE6 Job B-14). Four of the 11 lakes in the watershed are included in this reconnaissance job. Three of these lakes were included in the bagfic survey. The four lakes were at normal elevation when checked in this latest survey. Table 14 shows the combined netting results of the four lakes but the following discussion will treat each lake separately. Lake No._2: Netting and Seining - Two gill net collections, made in May 1961, took a total of 16 fish of 4 species. Since the basic survey, there were four noticeable changes: relative increases in bluegills and white crappie, and relative decreases in channel catfish and largemouth bass. Neither bluegills nor white crappie were found during the basic survey but they were found to comprise over 80 per cent of the netting collections in this reconnaissance survey. No largemouth bass were taken in the nets but three specimens (23 to 30 nm.) were taken in the seining collection. Obviously, larger bass are present but their abundance is questionable. Largemouth bass fishing was reported to be excellent two years ago but not so at the time the lake was sampled in May. Apparently the large number of bluegills and white crappie have contributed to the poor bass fishing. Channel catfish revealed a relative decrease of from over 50 per cent to slightly over 12 per cent. Black and yellow bullheads were not found in either the basic survey or the reconnaissance. This is the only lake included in this reconnaissance check of Escondido Creek that was lacking of bullheads. Aquatic vegetation consisted of thick growths of algae scattered throughout the lake. Lake No. 3: Netting - Two gill net collections made in May 1961 found that the fish population consisted of channel catfish, black bullheads, largemouth bass and bluegills. Compared to the basic survey, the fish population was very similar. Slight reductions in the numbers of channel catfish, black bullheads, andfBluegills were noticed and a slight increase in --- Page 26 --- oO Fa 00°OOT $9082 00°*00T TTen Tesor [Tesor | tr |e | © | ¢ eqn reser [Tevor yo quey xeg [SPT SS —*d ZO at 0g pezoeTTOo ysts gO Saystom | "T961 [tidy ‘soye] peystezeM yeerp opTpuoosy *sqou [ITS [equowpiedxe ATM sUOTJOSTIOD jo sq [nsoy “YT eTqeL --- Page 27 --- the number of largemouth bass. No flathead catfish were taken in the nets but the owner stated that he had stocked a number of them in past years and had been unable to catch any recently. Indications are that they are still present. The "reductions" in channel catfish, bluegills, and bullheads might be attributed to the presence of flatheads. Seining - One seining collection, consisting of six hauls, took 35 fish of 3 species: three largemouth bass (2% to 4 inches), 14 tedear sunfish (1 to 7 inches), and 18 bluegills (% to 2% inches). Lake No. 8: Netting - Two gill net collections made in this lake took 27 fish of 5 species. Channel catfish revealed about a 50 per cent reduction in numbers since the basic survey. In the two previous mentioned lakes, a similar decrease in the numbers of channel catfish was observed. This indicates that after the original stocking, their numbers diminish in these small 40-acre lakes probably because there is little or no natural reproduction. On the other hand, black bullheads show increases in numbers since the basic survey. At the time of the basic survey, black bullheads comprised 9 per cent of the netting collections as compared to 30 per cent in this reconnaissance survey. Largemouth bass showed a relative increase in numbers from 9 per cent to over 25 per cent. Of the four lakes in the Escondido Creek watershed that were checked, this lake appears to offer the best bass fishing. Seining - One seining collection took the following species: 104 red shiners (30 to 68 mm.); 23 mosquitofish (no length recorded); and one redear sunfish (42 mm.). Lake No. 11: Netting - A total of 38 fish of 3 species was taken in one netting collection. Chanhel catfish and black bullheads comprised the majority of the catch. Only one green sunfish was collected along with the catfish. The breakdown was as follows: channel catfish, 53 per cent; black bullheads, 45 per cent; and green sunfish, 2 per cent. Seining - One seining collection took one golden shiner. Evidently this fish was stocked as forage with the channel catfish and largemouth bass from the fish hatchery. Recommendations: After working these lakes in April, the project leader recommended to the Work Unit Conservationist, Soil Conservation Service, in Kenedy, that the existing fish populations in the four lakes be removed by chemically treating the water with rotenone and then restocked with desirable game fish species. At this time, no further interest has been shown by the landowners to apply the management recommendations. Public access is not available to any of the lakes and any developmental work would have to be done by the individuals concerned. --- Page 28 --- =25— Frio River An inventory of fish species in the Frio River was made from July 1953 through June 1956. To have more up-to-date information on the fish population in the public waters of Frio County, for a basis of fish harvest regulations (for Job B-19, Project F-6-R-9), a field trip was made in May. Netting - A total of 46 fish of 8 species was taken in one gill'net collection made near Frio Town. Rough fish species (alligator and longnose gars, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo and freshwater drum) comprised 89.13 per cent of the numbers and 95.03 per cent of the weight of fish taken in the netting collection. Bluegills, classified as forage fish in this regulatory authority county, comprised 4.35 per cent of the number and 0.33 per cent of the weight. Game fish species (channel catfish and white crappie) comprised slightly over 5 per cent of the numbers and less than 5 per cent of the weight of fish taken in the netting collection (Table 15). Seining - Table 16 shows the results of the three seining collections; the upper portion shows the results of the seining on the Frio River and the lower portion shows the results of the seining on the Leona River in Frio County. Mexican tetras were found in both rivers, as were mosquitofish. Red shiners and largemouth bass were found only in the Frio River. They are expected to be present in the Leona River as well, even though none were found in the seining collection, Other Observations ~ Much of the Frio and Leona Rivers were dry wher. visited in May 1961. One small channel dam on the Frio River, near Frio County State Park, retains a small amount of water for irrigation purposes. The local game warden said "a little" fishing was done in the area of the Frio by persors visiting the state park. Otherwise, little fishing is done on the Frio and Leona Rivers. Aquatic vegetation consists of Chara, Sagittaria and Potamogeton. Since the water supply of both rivers is irregular, the vegetation is not considered harmful. Recommendations: Because of the intermittent nature of the Frio and Leona Rivers in Frio County, no developmental work. is recommended. Cursory checks, for a basis of fish harvest regulations, should be continued once a year. Fish Stocking, Nueces River In April and June 1961, 100,200 largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked in the Nueces River in Zavala County. The fish were stocked in areas where they would most likely survive. Sufficient food and cover were found in the river during the recent study (see Job B-16, Project F-6-R-6). The fish --- Page 29 --- uIGn Table 15. Results of experimental gill net collection, Frio River, May 1961. Alligator gar Longnose gar Gizzard shad Smallmouth buffalo Channel catfish ‘White crappie Bluegills Freshwater drum * In grams. --- Page 30 --- a), Table 16, Results of seining collections, Frio River, May 1961, Spotted gar Mexican tetra Golden shiner Texas shiner Red shiner Stoneroller Mosquitofish Laftgemouth bass Green sunfish Redear sunfish |. Bluegill pom | Results of seining collection, Leona River, May 1961. 187 82.74 39 17.26 | Ea 100.00 | Mexican tetra Mosquitofish --- Page 31 --- -28- were supplied by the Medina Lake State Fish Hatchery at Devine and the National Fish Hatchery, Uvalde, Texas. For information purposes a comparison of netting success is included as Table 17. Prepared by_Charles T. Menn Approved LO ate tn Naat Assistant Project Leader Coordinator Date February 7, 1962 Kenneth C. Jurgens Regional Supervisor --- Page 32 --- -29- T961 ACW TAATY OTA L961 Ttady yeaeilQ Opt puoosy L961 itequeqjdas eouetg eseg 1961 2°q0390 9 TTAdy yzed o7e]g Uesjueg L96T YorteNW umoig 3104 T96T YOAPH uooTed T96LT YoreN. spaeyor0 eI7Te8C yeu JO OOF yeu jeu JO 3005 Jeu aod ystys xed usty qysneo zod ysty | zed ysty qusned sjou yo . yo spunod | yo spunod ysty Jo | “yo azsqunu ]jo requnu ysty Fo qeez fo ajeq pue eyYey] aseLOAV spunod _ o8RPraAV eBRIDAY. rLequny requnn aZeLOAV *qy8nevo ysTJ Jo spunod pue sizequnu yo swieq UT sexe, [Te Uo Sup IQeU TI#3 Jo ssaoong “/T eTqeL