TPWD 1963 F-5-R-10 #862: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 1-B: Job No. B-32 Fisheries Reconnaissance

--- Page 1 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT Federal Aid Project No. F-5-R-10 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION 1-B Job No. B-32 Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: Lawrence S. Campbell J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Program Planning October 24, 1963 --- Page 2 --- ABSTRACT Fish populations were examined for 15 public reservoirs and 5 major streams. Sampling of fish populations included analysis of data for 8,768 fish captured in 349 gill net collections and examination of thousands of fish captured in seining collections. Reconnaissance served primarily to sample public waters to determine major changes in relative abundance. This work was also instrumental in providing data that is the basis for biologically sound fish harvest regulations; that justifies and is the basis for affording priority for management planning and specifications; that partially evaluates the results of previous management; that maintains knowledge of the distribution of rare and/or diminishing species and that provides a better understanding of ecological phenomena that influences fish production. Surveys for management justification and planning were carried out for Lake Nasworthy, San Angelo Reservoir, Oak Creek Reservoir, New Winters Lake, Old Ballinger Lake, and Valley Creek Reservoir. Studies to evaluate previous management efforts were carried out at Lake Balmorhea, Lake Ascarate, Oak Creek Reservoir, Lake Sweet- water, Champion Creek Reservoir, and Mountain Creek Reservoir. Studies to determine ecological influences, game fish production, and sound harvest regulations were conducted at Red Bluff Reservoir, Imperial Reservoir, Lake Colorado City, Devils Lake, the lower Pecos River and portions of the upper Colorado River. --- Page 3 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. _F-5-R-10 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 1-B . Job No, B-32 Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance £isttet tS ee Period Covered March 1, 1962 - February 28, 1963 Objectives: To conduct limited investigations to obtain current information concerning gross changes in fishing conditions and factors influencing fish populations. Procedures: 1. Fish populations were examined for 15 public reservoirs and 5 major streams. Population sampling included analysis of data for 8,768 fish captured in 349 gill net collections, and for many thousands of fish captured in seining collections. 2, Reconnaissance was primarily directed toward population sampling required in determining major changes in relative abundance and balance between desirable and undesirable species of fish produced. Data indicative of changes in condition of principal species were obtained. ° 3. Limited investigations were carried out to obtain data necessary for evaluation of management work, to maintain knowledge of expanding populations of problematic or exotic fish, or to determine the continued existence of diminishing species. Other study was designed to provide data of fish survival in polluted areas, and to obtain knowledge of species or circumstances not previously investigated. 4, Where pertinent, major changes in ecological conditions, water quality, turbidity, plant life, and water usage were investigated. 5. A point of reference for comparing fluctuations in water levels was established on all waters visited. 6. Lesser investigations included making suitable inquiries to determine land usage or changes in land usage for watersheds, sources of pollution, and other changes in influences of importance. 7, Shoreline usage and accessibility, public ingress and egress, and conveniences such as launching ramps, toilets, picnic areas, and fish attractors were determined. 8. Where practical, fishing success and fishing pressure were investigated by cursory examination of spot checks of fish harvest composition. --- Page 4 --- 9. Examination of reconnaissance data was made to determine if more elaborate resurvey of the concerned waters was required. This examination subsequently resulted in extensive study of four major waters. Organization and Limitations of Report For coherence, reconnaissance work carried out is divided into two major categories. The essential difference between categories under which specific work is discussed is motive for pursuing the effort and the amount of work re- quired for its accomplishment. For this reason, reconnaissance effort for a specific body of water may be of secondary classification under this report and, as a result of work and findings, be of primary classification in the future, Much unfinished work is of this status, Reconnaissance efforts were required to determine financial practicality and other justification for management planning. These investigations were lengthy and thorough and are delegated primary classification, Such multipurpose work is the means of setting up long-range management plans that ultimately may involve successive management of several bodies of water. These waters are grouped for management consideration and are located within predetermined day- use areas. Data obtained provided: (1) determination of logical succession of tasks and procedures for management of waters grouped; (2) the determination of specific techniques required for included waters; (3) background data essential to future valuation of the pre-management and post-management fishery and (4) data contributive to the expansion of knowledge of population dynamics and of life histories of various species of fish. Less extensive reconnaissance is designated as secondary reconnaissance effort. These investigations were primarily concerned with providing data for a single body of water or for a specific habitat within a single body of water. These studies also provide data to evaluate the results of previous management work, to record changes in production brought about by changing circumstances or conditions, for providing a basis for harvest regulations, to maintain knowledge of the rate of expansion of specific fish, to determine the status of diminishing species, to ascertain the influence of pollution, to attempt to establish rate of growth or spawning requirements for little known species, and to determine distribution of introduced or exotic species. An outline of work completed and objectives is as follows: Primary Reconnaissance Surveys A. Pre-management reconnaissance and management planning. 1. Lake Nasworthy and associated waters of the Concho River (justification) for proposed management, evaluation data, population dynamics). 2. San Angelo Reservoir and portions of the North Concho River (area planning for management, game fish production, factors influencing harvest). 3. Oak Creek Reservoir and connecting portions of Oak Creek (justification for management, evaluation of management, population dynamics), --- Page 5 --- 4, Imperial Reservoir (management planning for the Pecos River watershed, basis for harvest regulations, population dynamics, uncommon influences). Secondary Reconnaissance Surveys A. Reconnaissance to evaluate previous management. 1. Lake Balmorhea 2. Mountain Creek Reservoir 3. Lake Sweetwater 4. Lake Ascarate 5. Champion Creek Reservoir B. Reconnaissance to provide specific data. 1. Red Bluff Reservoir (management planning, population dynamics, harvest regulations). 2. Lake Colorado City (uncommon phenomena and its influence on fish produced, harvest regulations). 3. New Winters Lake (management planning, harvest regulations). 4. Old Ballinger City Lake (management planning, harvest regulations, influence of pollution). 5. Valley Creek Reservoir (management planning, harvest regulations). 6. Devils Lake (production data, harvest regulations, study of little known species). 7. Lower Pecos River (diminishing species, pollution influence, harvest regulations). 8. Upper Colorado River (minnow production and influences). Note: The other three streams referred to in item 1 of procedures were Elm Creek, North Concho River, and the Concho River below Lake Nasworthy. These investigations were carried out in conjunction with study of reservoirs. Results: References are made throughout this report to a number of species of fish. The following checklist has been prepared to assure correct identification. --- Page 6 --- spotted gar -------------------------------- Lepisosteus oculatus alligator gar ------------------------------ L. spatula longnose gar ------------------------------- L. osseus gizzard shad ------------------------------- Dorosoma cepedianum Mexican tetra ------------------------------ Astyanax mexicanus smallmouth buffalo ------------------------- Ictiobus bubalus river carpsucker --------------------------- Carpiodes carpio gray redhorse ----~------------------------- Moxostoma congestum blue sucker ------------------- mmm mania Cycleptus elongatus CALP SHeeSSS SSeS ine eee n nee = Serres Cyprinus carpio golden shiner --------------- oS SEE S See Notemigonus crysoleucas blacktail shiner --------------------------- Notropis venustus red shiner --------------------------------- N. lutrensis roundnose minnow --------------------------- Dionda episcopa plains minnow ------------------------------ Hybognathus placita bullhead minnow ---------------------------- Pimephales vigilax walleye ------------------------------------ Stizostedion vitreum channel catfish ---------------------------- Ictalurus punctatus blue catfish ------------------------------- i. furcatus yellow bullhead ---------------------------- i. natalis black bullhead ----------------------------- i. melas flathead catfish --------------------------- Pylodictus olivaris plains killifish --------------------------- Fundulus kansae mosquitofish ------------~------------------- Gambusia affinis tidewater silverside ----------------------- Menidia beryllina white bass --------------------------------- Roccus chrysops Guadalupe bass ----------------------------- Micropterus treculi largemouth bass ---------------------------- M. salmoides warmouth bass ------------------------------ Chaenobryttus gulosus green sunfish ------------------------------ Lepomis cyanellus spotted sunfish ---------------------------- L. punctatus redear sunfish ----------------------------- L. microlophus bluegill ----------------------------------- L. macrochirus redbreast sunfish -------------------------- L. auritus longear sunfish ---------------------------- L. megalotis white crappie ------------------------------ Pomoxis annularis black crappie ------------------------------ P. nigromaculatus logperch ----------------------------------- Percina caprodes freshwater drum -----------~----------------- Aplodinotus grunniens Rio Grande perch ~-------------------------- Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum southern flounder -------------------------- Paralichthys lethostigma red drum ----------------------------------- Sciaenops ocellata Primary Reconnaissance A. Pre-management reconnaissance and management planning. Lake Nasworthy was formerly the primary source of municipal water for San Angelo, Texas. The lake is 6.5 miles southwest of the city and impounds the Middle and South Concho Rivers. Within the year a major flood control-irrigation project has been completed above Lake Nasworthy. A Bureau of Reclamation project, Twin Buttes, will be capable of impounding 600,000 acre feet and of expanding to 23,000 acres. In the future, water from Twin Buttes will be released into Lake Nasworthy. The lower structure, acting as the control reservoir, will divert flow either into a canal system where it will be transported to irrigated --- Page 7 --- farm lands located west of the city, or into the old stream channel below the dam where it enters the city water supply system. The basin area for the new reservoir and most of Twin Buttes watershed has been chemically treated to reduce problematic fish. (See completion report for Job 16a39, Project F-14-D-6). Previous survey work for Lake Nasworthy indicated river carpsuckers, carp and other problematic species have dominated past fish production. In order to continue the watershed renovation program to its logical limits a thorough reconnaissance of Lake Nasworthy and its associated waters was required. Fifty-four gill net collections were made from the lake and the stream areas below the dam. Approximately three- fourths (74.46 per cent) of 2,028 fish captured in 15,025 feet of gill nets were problematic species. River carpsuckers and gizzard shad represented 62.62 per cent of the total catch. The next most abundant species was white crappie making up 8.92 per cent of fish captured. One-third of these (68 of 181) were classified as nonutilizable. Less than 18 per cent of fish taken were considered to possess utility. During this period of study the lake receded from 12,340 acre feet storage to 2,400 acre feet. This has resulted in relatively high fishing success due to crowding of game fish present. In order to proceed with management to its logical conclusion and so that Lake Nasworthy could be improved at minimum costs, it was recommended to responsible authorities that existing fish (with the exception of salvagable game fish) be drastically reduced or eradicated. This recommendation was endorsed by the Concho Bass Club, the Lake Advisory Board and the City Commission. The work will be carried out during the summer of 1963. --- Page 8 --- Table l Netting locations and feet of net per location for reconnaissance of Lake Nasworthy and associated waters - January 1-31, 1963 TOTO Location No. Nets No. Feet of Net et CON, Feet of Net Red Bluff Slough 8 1,250 South Concho River 14 1,975 Spring Creek 14 1,975 Middle Concho River 14 1,975 Lower Concho River (Country Club, Ben Ficklin, Lone Wolf) 24 3,450 Lake Nasworthy 19 4,400 Totals 93 15,025 err nk Table 2 Analysis of utilizable game fish taken from Lake Nasworthy and associated waters January 1-31, 1963 Per cent Per cent of total Total of total catch by weight catch by Average Species No. number pounds weight weight largemouth bass 83 4.09 274.05 7.15 3.30 white bass 104 5.13 80.34 2.10 0.77 yellow bullheads 1 0.05 0.65 0.02 0.65 channel catfish 60 2.96 94.53 2.47 1.58 flathead catfish 4 0.20 21.56 0.56 5.39 white crappie 113 5.57 67.96 1.77 0.60 Subtotal 365 18.00 539.09 14.07 eee Total game fish 518 25.54 556.19 14.53 _ -Orrc s—— eeeeeeee Total problematic fish 1,510 74.46 3,274.40 85.47 enn Total catch 2,028 100.00 3,830.59 100.00 SSS Minimum weights of fish regarded as having utility - catfish - 200 grams, all others 100 grams. --- Page 9 --- 0O°O0T 8202 StL L6T LUC G6é CEE (ats sTeq0oL RE 98° HL OTST GE°?L 6€S €2°%s cot =LY CL 6ZE 6T TL OT? 6€°TL LEZ ze°9S =~ EBT STBIOIKGNS OL°LT 6SE gEe'oT eet = LO" BT 9€ == 98° Te 9S 9E°T? €9 9L° VT 67 TS°9T SE peys piezzy 6° 9% TT6 02°OS PLE 8 =—S7"OE 09 SL°S% €Il 92°S4 Set T8°Ts cLt 68°97 =LS szZeyonsdies 1sAz1 STt‘°0 € vE°0 T 09°0 rj slauTYys uapto3 6£°0 oT 71°O T €0°Z % 89°0 rs 17°Z 8 “yc T asioyper hex ¢6°9 TyT 3829" € Le 92° LT VE 07°0 T 97°LE BL 1e3 asousuoy, Gc°O S 07°O € Ts°0O T 07°0 T unip TazeMysersz 90°€ c9 T9°T ai Til val 90°47 OT GSO°E 6 T8°T 9 61°S TI dies 79°0 €l 09°9 €T oTeyjnq YyIouwy{ Teus 99° SZ BIS S9°L2 902 LL“ ET St €s°le 89 18 °8¢ S8 19°82 S6 89°ET 62 sTe 03qNg 0Z°0 by) yT°O T TS ‘0 I 09°0 Z Ystyuns 1eesuoT on re) Z 1S°0 I ve°O I ystyuns uaei3 96°% 09 ct € vi4 eGo *T € cot 7] L0°7 al TL°? 6 LL°€ 8 T1TF8enTq c6°8 TI8t €S°6 TZ Tt°L = 4¥T 0S°8 1Z 18°8 92 76°6 ce SSL 9T atdder> 97 Tym 02*O q £Z°0 4 O€°O T L7°0 I ystyzeo peeyzelTs Ov°€ 69 78°C TZ GS"e £ €s°OT 92 SO°Ee 6 I8°T 9 ystyq3eo Teuueys $0°0 T 7€°0 if peoyling sezpak L£Y°S TTT 06°S vA €0°C 9 79°E 6 €8°6 62 z9°9 (x6 Tv'T 3 sseq eaTyM VO S 97° € 8 Le°Z l z9°9 zz L7°0 T sseq ynowesi1eT 98 Z£L4°S 7] 7S°C % “ON L “ON WA “ON %,. “ON x, “ON x, “ON %, "ON satoeds sTeqoL Au} A0MSeN oysauo9 oyouog yaea9 oyouog FINT ayey_] . 19AOT 2TPPIW Sutadg yanos. pey en a een AEST SA OS ARPS ER i NN A A a NR A RS TS RR RR NE €961 ‘Te-1T Aaenuer - $10}eM poyetoosse pue AyRIOMSeN Bye] wWorAy useyeq ysTJ Jo Aequmu Aq uoTRYsodwesd 4uasd zag , € eT9eL --- Page 10 --- SE 6S "OE "SE GE°6L4T 6T° 197 HL°61Y 07° COV LL°T8S TE 987 WY3TIM 00°00T 00°O0T 00 °O0T 00 °OOT 00°O0OT 00°O0T 00°O0T sTeqoL queso 19g i ee ee 87°S8 OV'7LZE T2°78 =TZ°9TZT 84°76 =2(06°LZ7 «(OTIS §=«89°0VE TE°IS YO°LZE ZL°H8 98°Z67 85°96 1L°694 szTejzoqqns €T'T “ZT°€y 68°O E€L°€T 92°T TE°s Oo°T §€L°9 SLZ°T —70°L 86°0 69°S 86°0 =LL°R ; peys piezzt3 S7°79 18°897% 6T°TL 6L°ESOT O9°VE 9G°6ST vz7°SL I8°STE €0°9L I8°SOE LZ°6L 61°I9% Z9°SE SZ°ELT Stayonsdies rzeata 7O°T 00°0% O2°O0 %6°2 cL°S 9ST 68°O 9S°€ OT°€ BEST E€S°0 96° Zeyons esioyper Aeiz 10°O0 477°0 70°O 8 9T'°0 c0°0 82°0 SieutTYys Uaptos c8°7T 69°L9S ZE°9 9G°E6 860tH°e%7 «6E9N°SE6T 667°0) = (90° : 78°9S 77° 9L7 ze3 asousuot S€°O OF ° eT LL°0) GS TT IT°O =1S°0 VEO) 8 8=— RT uNIp Ta_eMYyseI; OS°? €8°S6 €8°2 6°T? 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L tA T T T T T 4 gz T 4 T W szoyons osroypez Aer3 6E°C 09 LY°C Te T c T € € 9 S 7 @ € T 4 Oe’? 6¢ T T c i] c 7] T G 7] T ri T T h dizeo G9°¢ £t ga°? 9 g € T « zo°z iL IT tT tT IT @ tT y opTeyjnqg y nowy, Tews AY THU TYVOVOECSELEVESEVELE TETE OC OC eC LCI SHS S7TT7reoec ers tl 1g t sit 7 T el at E961 ‘TE-1 Azenuer - siezeMm pazeToosse pue AyqIoMseN eyxeT Worzz usyer satoads oT ewetqoad Jo ‘103084-a ‘uoT}Tpuos jo stshyTeuy ZL eTqe. --- Page 14 --- =12= Table 8 Stomach content of fish taken from Lake Nasworthy and associated waters January 1-31, 1963 Number Frequency Species Number with Food of Examined Food Items Occurrence largemouth bass 20 14 gizzard shad 11 fish remains 3 white bass 98 48 gizzard shad 21 fish remains 26 channel catfish 28 12 gizzard shad 8 fish remains 2 algae 1 pecan 1 white crappie 90 47 gizzard shad 12 fish remains 33 bluegill 2 0) freshwater drum 4 1 gizzard shad 1 TT Totals 242 122 --- Page 15 --- ke San Angelo Reservoir is a flood control structure constructed and operated by the U. S. Corps of Engineers. The dam is adjacent to the northwestern residential section of San Angelo. At conservation pool the reservoir retains 119,188 acre feet and covers 5,456 acres. Under a change in water usage practices San Angelo Reservoir is presently the primary source of water for San Angelo, Currently the reservoir has 52,730 acre feet of water and is about 31,000 acre feet below dead storage. The lake has receded continuously for four years. In conjunction with management planning for Lake Nasworthy a survey of San Angelo Reservoir and portions of the North Concho River was carried out. This was done to provide assurance of public fishing while management was being carried out for the smaller lake and for setting up long-range management plans, Thirty gill net collections captured 707 fish, and 2 seining collections captured over 830 individuals. Less than 18 per cent of fish captured were usable game fish. Approximately 77 per cent of fish taken were problematic species. River carp- suckers made up 68.03 per cent of the total number of fish netted and 55.30 per cent of the weight of fish captured. White bass were the most numerous game species, but largemouth bass, with an average weight of 5.64 pounds, were probably the greatest fishery asset. Failure to capture smaller largemouth bass, channel catfish, and white bass is interpreted as being indicative of failure of those species to reproduce. Gill netting collections from the Concho River below the reservoir resulted in capturing 96.67 per cent problematic species. Fishing results expressed in fish per man hour have been low, but skillful anglers consistently record sizeable catches of largemouth bass and white bass. The crowding of fish through the continued reduction of the lake volume is of significance in aiding anglers, --- Page 16 --- -[4- Table 9 Per cent composition by weight and mean weight of fish taken from San Angelo Reservoir January 1-31, 1963 EE — Total Per Cent Per Weight by Weight Species Number Cent Pounds Pounds Mean Weight largemouth bass 40 5.66 225.56 14.94 5.64 white bass 66 9.34 120.19 7.96 1.82 channel catfish 18 2.55 33.76 2.24 1.88 flathead catfish 1 0.14 50.13 3.32 50.13 white crappie 30 4.24 15.50 1.03 0.52 bluegill 4 0.57 0.26 0.02 0.07 Subtotal 159 22.50 445.40 29.51 smallmouth buffalo 9 1.27 114.38 7.57 12.71 carp 29 4.10 86.69 5.74 2.99 river carpsuckers 481 68.03 835.13 55.30 1.74 black bullhead 1 0.14 0.65 0.04 0.65 freshwater drum dL, 0.14 1.13 0.07 1.13 longnose gar 2 0.28 12.81 0.85 6.40 gizzard shad 19 2.69 2.85 0.19 0.15 golden shiner 1 0.14 0.14 0.01 0.14 gray redhorse 5 0771 10.88 0.72 2.18 Subtotal 548 77.50 1064.66 70.49 Totals 707 100.00 1510.06 100.00 Table 10 Analysis of utilizable game fish taken from San Angelo Reservoir January 1-31, 1963 eee Per Cent of Total Per Cent of Total Catch Weight Total Catch Average Species Number by Number Pounds by Weight Weight largemouth bass 40 5.66 225.56 14.94 5.64 white bass 65 9.20 119.98 7.95 1.85 channel catfish 15 2.12 32.90 2018 2.19 flathead catfish il 0.14 50.13 3.32 50.13 white crappie 6 0.85 6.71 0.44 1.12 Subtotal 127 17.97 435.28 28.83 Total game fish 159 22.50 445.40 29.51 Total problematic fish 548 77.50 1064.66 70.49 Total catch 707 100.00 1510.06 100.00 Minimum weights of fish regarded as having utility - catfish 200 grams, all others 100 grams. --- Page 17 --- Table 11 A comparison of utilizable game fish with problematic fish from North Concho River January 1-31, 1963 Per Cent of Total Per Cent of Total Catch Pounds Total Catch Average Species Number by Number Weight by Weight Weight largemouth bass 1 83 3.06 4.67 3,06 channel catfish 2 1.67 5.19 7.92 2.50 Subtotal 3 2.50 8.25 12.59 river carpsuckers 29 24.16 45.31 69.18 1.56 freshwater drum 1 83 1.13 1.72 1.13 gizzard shad 87 72.51 10.81 16.51 a2 Subtotal 117 97.50 57.25 87.41 Total 120 100.00 65.50 100.00 ON Minimum weights of fish regarded as having utility - catfish 200 grams, all others 100 grams. 10 Bem Table 12 Composition by number of fish taken by rotenone sampling of North Concho River January 1-31, 1963 Species Number Per Cent by Number channel catfish 2 2.77 bluegill 6 8.34 green sunfish 2 2.77 longear sunfish 5 6.95 warmouth bass 2 Zed Subtotal 17 23.60 river carpsucker 2 2.77 freshwater drum 1 Ladd gizzard shad 32 44.45 golden shiner 2 2.77 Subtotal 37 51.38 blacktail shiners 4 5204 bullhead_ minnows 14 19.45 Subtotal 18 25.02 Total 72 100.00 a --- Page 18 --- -16- 00°OOT TEs SsTeqoO] €9°0O OT €S°0 90°0 T EL°O 8E°O 9 1Z°0 SZ°0 7 eT) OL°9 90T ZE°L Il’? S9 ZE°S 90°0 T €T‘O z LZ°0 6T°O € €T°0 1Z°Z CE 66°T ATOATESaYy oTeS8uy ueg aAoge AsATY +3489 dog STeI0, Boaly PFTIPIIM SCI ONAN Fy N “azequny “Te€-T Aazenuer CYouoD YIAON Woaz usdyeq SUOTIDET [OD ButTutas ~ *yuaD Teg yaegq Ajqunoyg a: 2 eee on 26C 90°8 SOLS OGRE cc € TS gg 96°L 9CT €9°9OT €8°Z UCT O€* TT Tye UG 86°S SZ°O v 1Z°0 __ 9 666 ae 6T°O €6°8S £6 €8°0% ce"0 ‘S €T°O c €T°O 16°? 9” 66°€ ° JouTys UusepTos a eae) T aouTYys [Teyoe1Tq 69°% 6€ mouutw suteqtd 60" 6 MouUuTW peeyt tng 47°O Z yorad8oy [eI WqGnS peys paezzt3 09°0 G ae3 ssousuoty (aieae) T unip JezeMysesry €6°T OT Jeyonsdieos TOATI cL‘O dieo I 80Tt~CS _Teqo7qng— 07°0 Z 4sTjuns Jsedaqpeda ystjuns azeaperz 87°0O b ystyuns 1ee8uot 9€°O € ystyjuns usaei8 V1°9 TS TIt8entTq TO°€ GZ etdderzs a3Tym ct°O T YsTyieo peayqeTy Yystyieo Touueyo 07°O Z sseq aqTym Iv'°Z 0Z sseq yNouesre{T tequny SdToeds €T 9TqeL --- Page 19 --- T¥'0 d 9%'0 W 2e9 €°Z “2° W wmap rzsqemysoarz O¢*d PR8YTING yDeTq :sa9y39 Te ¢ Tt To¢ . 0°% Zz T T WW esitoupear Aer G*T 9f 9°T 2 2 2 a S°Il OL 7 T € 2 W peys pizezz13 co bE Z°2 «61 I ¢ tT T 9 2 4 g YT Y i T°Z 02 ¢ @ $© §¢ € zg Y W teyonsdies rzaataz TZ 42% 2°2 «€T T IT Tt TZ % 2 d T°2 If Zt ¢ @ 2 fT YY W dizeo 8°26 8°2 6G Zz I I T a 8°2 +4 I T oT T W OTeFINq YINowT Tews SoTtoo S oT JeWeTqoig ee Lz L°€ ‘T°€ W TIT8enTq :2ay39 N E'S CT IT 2 4 7 2 2 i 71 22 ef I T G¢ TIT 2 Y T W atddeio aaTYyA 9°IT ¢ 6°r TT T d 9°l 4 IT 2Z T W YsTy}eo [Tauueys 9°% 49 9°2% HE T oT tT T 7 2 tT ¢ » Y € TI Zz T d L°2@ O€ T ¢ tT T T 2@ 4» ¢€ ¢ 7 T Y fT fT W sseq 93 Tym 6°% Gz 6°2 2 fT T T Z @Z > € TT YT g 2 T d Te 4 T I 2Z Ww Sseq YINnoweszeT setoeds owes YT eTqeL --- Page 20 --- -18- Table 15 Stomach contents of fish taken from San Angelo Reservoir January 1-31, 1963 No. stomachs Number Frequency of Species Examined With Food Food items Occurrence largemouth bass 24 14 unidentifiable 7 fish remains gizzard shad 6 white bass 1 white bass 70 54 unidentifiable 22 fish remains gizzard shad 29 white crappie 26 4 unidentifiable 2 fish remains gizzard shad 2 bluegill 2 0 black bullhead 1 0 freshwater drum 1 () Totals 124 72 --- Page 21 --- =19= Oak Creek Reservoir is located three miles southeast of Blackwell, Texas, on the Nolan-Coke county line. At spillway level the reservoir contains 52,900 acre feet of water and covers 1,500 acres. The lakes waters are normally clear, and the basin topography is excellent for fishing. Practically no run-off has entered the lake in the past two years. Reconnaissance work com- pleted under project F-5-R-9 indicated that due to a continued recession of the lake, problematic species had increased from less than 50 per cent in 1960 to over 80.95 per cent in January of 1962. The city of Sweetwater and other municipalities who own the reservoir requested that something be done to improve fishing. In compliance with this request a reconnaissance was made of the lake. This pre-treatment sampling consisted of eighteen gill net sets that captured 619 fish. Of the fish captured not less than 89.91 per cent by weight and 75.25 per cent by number were undesirable. The capture of over 34 fish per net is significantly higher than average netting success. It was originally proposed to attempt eradication of fish life. However, permission from State health authorities to use toxaphene for this purpose could not be obtained. The cost of using rotenone in a total kill effort was too great. An alternate plan was selected that provided for a drastic reduction of existing fish by employing a contour type treatment. Between June 14 and June 19, 1962, Oak Creek Reservoir was treated with 8,800 pounds of 5.67 per cent powdered rotenone. The shallower areas of the lake, those less than 8 feet deep, were treated with sufficient chemical to provide an immediate concentration of 1.47 parts per million. The deeper areas were treated in such a manner as to achieve an immediate dosage of .099 parts per million. The resulting destruction of fish was estimated as approximately 68,000 pounds. For further data see job completion report 16a36, Project F-14-D-6. To evaluate the results of this work 44 gill nets were set after the treatment. A total of 560 fish were captured, an average of 12.72 fish per net, or about 30 per cent of the pre-treatment catch. The primary problematic species, river carpsuckers, were reduced from about 24 per cent of the pre- treatment catch to about 13 per cent of the post-treatment sample. Gizzard shad were reduced from 52 per cent of the pre-treatment sample to about 11 per cent of the post-treatment catch. Largemouth bass increased from about .65 per cent in June to 20.66 per cent in October. An examination of creels also indicated a marked increase in fishing success during the period. The final results of this work will depend upon spring run-off that should refill the reservoir. For specific data see tables 16 through 20. --- Page 22 --- 00°O0OT TI €99 00 °OOT SoS STe OL eee €0°7C £0° 99°C TE°S ce" € €6°€ c8°T OS °S T8°T 9T° Go” €T°? TL°2Z OS *ST € €7°~ 88° 1% O?*T C L0°¢ €0°€€ OL°TT nly ase1oay TYysTom Fo que9Q t9g "SZO "SqT 1Y43TOM eB8ersday C ATTOATSSeY Ye2aIQ Yeo jo aouesstTeuuo a 8 8S” € TeuTYys uaptos T A 60°Z II etddezs aqTym cl £9°9 GE I1T?t8en tq T I 91° 2 SpesyuTIng yoetq al OST VOL BE dies 8172 6S SZ YET aeyonsdies rzeata ¢ 612 YI'LS OO€ peys piezzqs3 _7820 sq, aequinn jo Toads TyZTOM TeIOL quan Aeg 961 ‘OZ Ttady 981 SOTASYSTT AOF Jas sou I1It3 TI go Si] [Nsoy 9T PTqPL --- Page 23 --- =D j= eee 00°O0T 0 TS 00°O0T 76 STeI0OL Ca ie L6°T LO°€ L°T 0 6 T 96°ST ST etdderzs a3Tym 0°¢ T9° G°? 0 S 0 €T*Z é 4STjuns AeazuocT T7°? 86° L£°T 0 L°8 0 G7 L l TI?S8enTq LT? ST°S o°? 0 OT 4 80 °8T LT YsTjuns iteaeper 90° RECT L°Z 0 IT 0 97° 7 7] sseq yInowesirey, 6L°T Ge" ‘4 0 (4 0 90°T T Ssseq a7 TYyM 99°C 89°€ val T val T 90°T T SPPSUTING moTTah 6L°T c1l’9 l 0 Z € G7°L Z 4sty eo Teuueyo cl"? GB L 0 y 0 q 90°T T dies QL T 90°LY 8 T 0 07 cO°LT OT teyonsdies zaatz 89° T 68° €Z c°8 0 € al LY°~ ee PeYys prezzt3 wy TYsTom jo aseIoAy 3U9D Aeg “SZO "SdT °SZO IY8toM e8ezsay “SqT aisqunn jo Tequny SodTtoedg IY3TemM TeqIoy Jue) a0g Z96T “61 unr AFOATaSeY Y22I19 yeQ Fo souessTeuuodsei1 satraystTy OF 39S SjOU [TT3 y% Jo sqInsoy LT °TqeL --- Page 24 --- -22- ee ee ae a ee it an a mt a ES 00°00T 4 971 00°00T 797 sTeqOL ana Z0°Z 76°8 TT ¢ II LZ°S9 TLT atdder> aqTym 9T°€ 69°” GZ GT G 1S° 471 BE TL ESenTq TT Oz" O°Z % QL" Z ysty eo Teuueyo €8°T TEST €°ST T S 61 78 € OT dieo 97°C 98°0OL 9°S Z G 68 49°GT Tv zoyonsdies rzeATA “$ZO 1y3TOM eerIAYy “Sq1 "S$ZO "sql ZequnN Fo zequnN qy3TOM TeIOL que9 ted TysTOM FO quae) 138g wks aBeIDAY Z96T “77 GUN ATOAAEeSOY Yyae1D AeOQ FO aouessTeuuooer SoTAsYysTF TOF 78 sjou TITS OZ FO SsqTNSea ST eTqeL --- Page 25 --- 33 - I 00 °OOT & GL 00 °OOT 9S STeIOL a 77°C ZIT €°? 0 bT 0 ZL°OT 9 atddezs oqTy” 6E°€ 7° €°Z 0) I T 87°71 8 TI 3en Tq L0°Z OS* 9 0 9 0 6L°T T speeytTIng yoeTq 6S°T L0°9 7°OT 0 6 9 OS*ZI L ystyzeo Teuueyo 79°Z €€°ZE Q°L € ¢ 07% OS°7lT L dieo OCS G2 7S 8° ET T Cl Ov 67°G6E ZZ sazoyonsdies TeATA LT LO°7 €°71 ) T € 76°8 c peys pzezzqt3 wa qysToM JO "SZO “sql "SZO “SqT zequinyy FO Tequny SOTOO oBeIDAV que9j 190g 1y8TeM esersay VyBtTemM Teo], queg reg nen Z96T ‘Ez ATOL AITOAASSSY YW2IoIQ YeQ FO souesstTeuuods9i sotsAsysTy AOF FOS Sjou TIt3 OT JO Sz INsoy 61 2eT9eL --- Page 26 --- Dds a 00°O0T L €€T 00°O0T CUE STBIOL eee L9°C 6S °L 7°9 (4 OT 7E°OT GZ etdders aqtye Oc € SS°T “? T c T9°9 9T ystzuns €S*Z 86°9 6°Z G 6 99°0Z oS sseq ynouesreT 41°? €T "6 L°G € ai S0°7T VE SpeeyuTInNg yoeTq OS *T 88°6 cz" t € €T LEG eT ystyzeo Touueyo LEZ Lo°TT Let 6 a Ze €T Ze dies GC? 80°CI ‘Zz z Z OT TeE°e 8 Zeyonsdies rz9eaTta 69°T 7C° L°Z G €3° a LauTUS Ueptos S8°T 880” 8° VT 6 9G 19 °SZ Z9 peys prezzqs wi 343TOM FO °SZO “Sql “SZO “sql Tequny Sotoods eseroay que9g reg JY43tIM eearsaAy JY8TOM [eo], que) 10g A 2961 “7 29qG0390 ATFOATISSY YeoIQ YeOQ JO souessteuuooaz SOTTSYSTT AOF JOS Sjzou [[TS g Jo sq[nsoay zequnyy FO Oc 9TdeL --- Page 27 --- -25- Imperial Reservoir is an irrigation control reservoir for Red Bluff Power and Water District. This playa lake, whose natural capacity was increased by construction of a dam, is located in a bend of the Pecos River about 10 miles west of the town of Imperial in Reeves County. Water is diverted from the Pecos and enters the reservoir through a canal. Releases are as irrigation demands. Flow of the upper Pecos is controlled by Red Bluff Reservoir and several reservoirs in New Mexico. The reservoir is primarily for irrigation but is of unusually high recreational importance because of its geographical location. Imperial is unique in the relatively high salinity of its water, (1,500 ppm. chlorides to over 4,000 ppm.) At spillway crest the reservoir contains 3,000 acre feet and covers nearly 1,000 acres. Periodically the reservoir affords excellent fishing for white bass and the growth rates of these fish is unusually rapid. Much of the data included was obtained as a secondary benefit of the study made of marine species introduced into this saline lake. However, these data also provide information pertaining to seasonal expansions of various populations and of the rate of increase that may occur within relatively short periods. This reconnaissance was also to provide data on the success of stocking from fish hatcheries and of the effect of sudden withdrawals on various species of fish. In all 64 gill net collections captured 1,970 fish. Of these 13.85 per cent were usable game fish. The primary problematic species were longnose gar, carp, gizzard shad and river carpsuckers. This group made up 81.37 per cent of all fish captured. Experimental management of the reservoir may be justifiable; however, a maximum management effort would necessarily be of watershed scope and would depend upon management work on reservoirs located on the Pecos above Imperial. --- Page 28 --- -26- Te 00 °O0T 8 €6T 00°O0OT é8T STeqOL eee T9°Z v8°€ “L ZL Z iA GS° T Iepuno,Ty uzeyjnos Lv" 61° “€ 9 OTT 4 TIFS8enTq 88°C €0°7C “GT T YT € OL’ Z sseq YyInowesireT, €S°Z €2°6 "Lt val LT 82° YT 97 sseq eTYM YLT OTE 7° CT c 9 07°” g dieo YLT 82°83 TOL LI bQ°HT LZ teyonsdies raaTtA 67° T 9¢° 7 cS? v 8 L6°CE 09 peys piezzqt3 7" 15°89 67S cA 6 el 9L°0€ 9¢ ze3 esouzu0y uy FYysTom jo “SZo “SqT a8ersAy que9 reg JYy8tToM eBers9ay "SZO “SqT YysTaM TeloL iequny 50 zequnyy T S quag tog Z96T *6 TequeAoN tToOATesSey TeTiedwy Jo souessteuuooei SeTTSYSTF 10F JOS sjou TIT ZI Fo sapnsoy T?@ TqeL --- Page 29 --- =27'= eee 00°00T T €OT 00°00T 0g STeIO], eee S9'T 68°TT 7 ZT 17 ral ram T (YSTF pet) unazp pez ety ZT" Z 0) Z 0) SZ°T I TIT ?tSenTq €8°Z 070% 9 I l 1¥ os"LE O€ sseq a7TyA €8°T 10°Z I 4 I z ce *T T ystyqeo Teuueys 18 °T SS*OT 6°8 I val OT GL°g l dieo 6L£°T 0S°0Z eT 0 c TZ OS ZE 972 Steyonsdized ASATA 96°T 9b*9 8 v7] 8 v7 vam T oTezFNq YInouT Tews IS‘T LEZ 6°€ ) l z OS*ZI OT peys piezzt3 6€° 00°8 (a Zz 7] 8 GL°E € 1e3 asousuoT ii TysToM FO “SZO “Ssq_ “SZO "SqT aequnyy FO Tequny SdTOO aBelsay que9 reg J43TeM eersay 3Y43TaM TeIO]L qus9 az0g 2961 ‘L Aequiaseg ATOATesSoYy TeTazedw] Jo souessteuuoser SeTASYSTF AOF JOS szou [TI TT jo sarnsey ccé STdeL --- Page 30 --- =38- nnn 00°00T ST OSY 00°00T 7L9 sTeqO] a B77 €€°72 ZI 0 8 Ol 80° val sseq oqTyM 6€°7 CEE ST ) € SOT Z9°9T ZIT daeo 71° 87° ST z T El 69 076 Z9 szoyonsdaes 1eATA EL 1 06°€T 98°Z 0 II z9 g0°%S IS€ peys piezzt3 17" 96°77 8 T ZI Z0Z 70°07 cel ze3 esousuoyT ila 7YysTeM FO “SZO “Sql "SzO “SqtT aequnn FO zequnN SOTO aSeLOAV ques) 19g 3YyZTOM ee1l9Ay 243T9M TeIOL que) tag cain A dr; So it eh A i nc z96T ‘g ACW ATOAAesSoy Tetszedwy Jo souesstTeuuodel SeTAsYysTy AOF JES Sou TIt3 OZ FO Sa[nseYy €Z eTqWeL --- Page 31 --- -29- eee 00°00T yT IIS 00°O0T 94 STBIOL eL'T BIT 9 9 72" T (YST} pet) umap pez L£o°€ Aum Z Z ZZ’ I ystjyuns uaei8 SO"? 80° ZL Z 7" T sseq YInowses1e{] 66°Z Se'T T T 9 9 Ze" 9 sseq a3TyM 97 °7Z ST°9T z T IT z8 SE°ST OL dies 6L°T Ol’ 12 6 T 80T 69° VT 19 Zeyonsdies rsaTIz 19°T €Z°6 € V7 Ly £z°SS ZSZ peys piezz73 cy" 66°0S 8 z 19Z TZ°21 8¢ te3 ssousuo0T wy 34sToM Jo “SzZO aseisay quag tag “sqT “SZO “SqT requnyy FO zequny Sotoeds JYy3tom e8ersay FY48TOeM TeIOL qUa0 ag 2961 ‘SI Ttady TTOATSSOY Tetasduy~ jo SoueSSTeUUODe1 SaTIsYsTy TOF JOS SjoUu [IIS g Fo sj[nsay 70 PTIPL --- Page 32 --- -30- cs 00 *OOT OT TSS 00°OOT SLs sTeIOL I I Oc? 8T'T 0°8 9 8 9 LT I zepuno,Ty uzeyynos €8°z GT*T 9°T Zz G 9 €S° € sseq YyNouss1eT 79°C OC 9€ L’T T i 00¢ TE Te I8T sseq e7TyM 90°? ce O°eT T eT T LT” T ystzzeo Teuueyo 1° cB" s*9 T Z1 97 67° € 61 dies GL°T gerd 8°OL g €v LO‘TT 79 zeyonsdies AsATA Oe? cL ST L°T T 7] €OT 60 °9T €6 opTeygnqg yAnouTTeuUs L£8°T 16°9 vee) Zz Be 88° €? sel peys piezzt3 ae 89°72 9°6 T z vat 67° €1 gL ze8 esousuoy la FqSstTeM JO “Szo “Sql “Szo “Sql Zequnyy FO Tequnn Sotoods eSersaAVy que) tod VY3TOM eBersAy 3y3TOM TeIOL queg 120d E961 ‘L% Azenaqed ATOALISOY Tetaedwyl jo souRssTeuuooed soTrsysty TOF OS Sjou TITS €1 FO S3zTNsSod GZ PTdeL --- Page 33 --- =31= Secondary Reconnaissance Surveys A. Reconnaissance to Evaluate Previous Management Lake Balmorhea is an irrigation control reservoir owned and operated by Reeves County Irrigation District No. 1. The reservoir is 4 miles southeast of Balmorhea in Reeves County, was constructed in 1913, and is fed by natural springs. At spillway capacity the reservoir has 640 acres and contains 6,350 acre feet. Studies of the reservoir were initiated in June 1960. Sampling at that time indicated that 88.78 per cent of all fish in the lake were gizzard shad, river carpsuckers or carp. Game species were less than 8.44 per cent by weight. More thorough reconnaissance was completed between June 13, 1961 and October 18, 1961. Findings indicated that problematic species were 87.31 per cent by number and 88.23 per cent by weight. On December 1, 1961, the reservoir was treated with .20 parts per million toxaphene. Sixty days later 2,400 feet of experimental gill nets were set and failed to capture fish. During the segment 15 experimental gill net collections were taken. As shown in the accompanying data no problematic fish were captured. Game fish made up 100 per cent of fish captured and growth rates were deemed adequate when the rate of stocking and fluctuations of the lake are considered. Fishing success was meager. The fish were not yet large enough to provide catches of acceptable sizes. --- Page 34 --- -32- 00 °OOT OT 6 00°OOT OL STe@IOL A fee 6S °ST 78° T 0 8 T 8S°ST eT sseq yInowrem VTE 87°69 OT? 0 TT 9 98 °CL 1S ystyuns use13 60°7 6€°OT €E°S 0 0 T 82°47 € sseq yinowesie{ LY°T Wo" €f°C 0 L 0 BZ v7 € ysty}zeo [Touueyo ly qu3TOM FO “$zO “Sqt “SZO "SqT TequnN FO Tequny SoToeds dBeIIAV qua A9ag 1Yy3TOM sBer2AVy VUSTOM TeIOL quo) Az0g C961 “9 YoreW eoyrowyleg oye] JO soUeSSTeUUODeA SeTABYSTF IOF Jos syou [ITB / Jo sqpnsoy Ze 2T9eL 00°O0OT ¢ G 00 °OOT VE STBIOL ec" e€ 87° OT °C val 85°07 L sseq YnowzeA €v7°€ OL°?7 6°T 9 c 78°8S 0¢ ystjuns use13 88°T C8 SE L’°Y T c 89°07 L sseq yJnowss1e7 wa 7Yy3TOM FO “SZO "Sql “SZO “SqT aoequnN FO requnyy Sotoods aBeIsAV quse9 19g 1yZTOM O8er0Ay VYSToM TeIOL wud) Aeg Z96T “8 tequeAoN eoysowtTeg eye] FO souessTeuUuodSI SaTASYSTJ AOJ Jos sou [TIS g Jo sqjpNsoy 9c PTIFL --- Page 35 --- -33- Mountain Creek Reservoir is the primary source of municipal water for the city of Robert Lee in Coke County. The lake has 77 acres at spillway elevation and impounds 950 acre feet of water. The reservoir is located approximately 1 mile east of the city. Pre-management sampling of this reservoir was initiated in May 1958 and continued through September 1960. Based upon 395 fish captured in gill nets, it was estimated that 86.32 per cent of fish being produced were undesirable. These fish made up 98.95 per cent of the production in weight. River carpsuckers were 51.21 per cent of the total number of fish captured and made up 88.66 per cent of the weight of the catch. In April 1961 this reservoir and associated waters of the watershed were treated to eradicate existing fish populations. On May 10, 1961, 725 feet of experimental gill nets were set in the reservoir. No fish were captured. To evaluate the results of this management effort, 22 experimental gill net collections were taken in the 1962-63 period. As shown in accompanying data, bullheads were not eliminated by the treatment or were reintroduced by March 1962. However, the primary objective, a basic manipulation in fish production, was achieved. No carp, river carpsuckers, or gizzard shad were captured in sampling during the twenty-two month period following the renovation effort. Game fish exhibited excellent growth and made up nearly 98 per cent of fish produced. Creels taken indicate that fishing results beginning with the spring of 1962 have averaged over four fish per man hour. There is no reason to doubt that more fish have been produced and har- vested since the renovation effort than were captured during the previous 8 years of the reservoirs existence. --- Page 36 --- -~34- NN 00 ‘OOT él (aa 00°OOT 8c STeIOL 8L°T 87° T OST € GT°L z zeuTYys uaptos €O°€ 8L°OT 02 °7 9 I TL°SE OT ystTyuns uee13 98°T G9O°LT 7) Vi, c VICE 6 sseq YInoueszeT 76°C 66°87 7] T TT € cL’ OT € spesyT{ng mo, Tes O8'°T LTT € T v S 8c VT v7] ysTyyeo Touueys why qYysTeM FO “SzO “Sql “$ZO “Sql zoequnyy 50 zequny Sdtoeds aBersAV queg tog JUSTOM eBer10Ay JY8TOM TeIO] queg Aeg Z96T ‘6 YoreW ATOAZESOYy Yoeertp uUTeJUNOW Fo souessTeuuoosl SoTASYysTJ AOF Jos sou T[TIB g Jo sz [nsay 8c PTdeL --- Page 37 --- =35- a 00 °O0OT OT Tc 00 °OOT 67 STeIOL a S0°Z ZE°Z 99°Z 8 Z1°9 € ZouTYys useptos T8°€ 07° T 99°T G 71°9 € sseq yQnowzeM vIY 8S" z Z GO°Z I T1t8en Tq 18°€ SO°LT OE°z Il € 76°94 €Z ystguns use13 ct? €0°ST GL°9 7] € €f°OT 8 sseq yInowesi1eT ty 2 L6°1Z €£°6 T ZT 4 Z1°9 € speoyTIng mo,Tek €9°T 19°T? z if 0 6 Ze "9T 8 ystyzeo Teuueyo whi VUZTOM FO “SZO “Sql “SZO “Sql ZequnN jo aSerIAYV queg az90g YUSTOM eserIAV JYSTOM TeIOL queg Jog a zoquny Z96T ‘87 YoTeW ATOATOSoYy Yoory uTequUNoW Jo soUeSSTeUUODeA SaTASZYSTF OF Jos sjzou TITS 9 Fo sz[Nsoy 67 9TdFL --- Page 38 --- -36- A 00 *O0T 9 LT 00°00T LZ STeIOL ep de RE Ne gg ea nee la Le°% O¢°L S 0 v T 78° 7T 9 I1F8enTq 6T°€ 88°C c 0 8 0 73°71 b sseq yynouwreM €6°C 6€°S (4 0 GT 0 €6°SZ2 Ll ystjuns usea3 PLT 79°8 9 0 8 T 78 VT 7] sseq YINowes1reT €c°? TL°6 eT 0 IT T 07° L CG SpesyT[ng MoT Teh 89°T G6°C9 OT € ST OT Il‘ It € ystyzeo Touueyo G8 °T et" € € 0 6 0 TTT € Jautys uepto3 wi JYUSTIM FO *SZO “sql "SZO “SqT aequnN jo zequn Ny sotoods esersay qua) 139g JUZsTeM 8e1r9Ay WYZSTOM TeIOL queg At0g a rn cd Z96T ‘LZ AEqueAON ATOATESOY Yoo19 uTeJUNOW Jo souessTeuuoder SoeTASYySTJ AOJ Jos sjzoU T[IZ ¢€ Jo sj [NseyY O€ T9deL --- Page 39 --- =3 7x eee 00 °O0T Z LT 00°OOT cS STPIOL G6°S 80°T G°T 0 € 0 G8 € c TT F8en Tq T?°€ G7°9 G°? 0 Z T 9”°CT l sseq yqnowzem 18°? 79°81 1°? 0 v7 € 91°94 77 ystyuns usaei8 OL*T 70 OT 9°” 0 ral I STI 9 Sseq yInowssreT 8E°T 6S "94 Z 8 z 8 Z6°T if ystyjzeo peoy eps CLT 76°€ IT 0 IT 0 c6°T T SpesuT[ng yoertq 88°T 9c ET L°€ 0 S Cc ST°1Z TT AeuTYsS Usapto3 wu TYySToM FO *SZO “SqT “8ZO “Sql ose1sAy que9Q 138g WYy3tToeMm sBersay WU8TIM [eIOL azoequnyy jo aaqunn sotoeds quoD Aog ° €96T “g Arenagaeg TTOATISOY Yao1p uTejzuno_l jo SoUBSSTBUUODAL SaTAaYSTJ AOF Jas sou TITS ¢ Jo sq[nsoy TE STqeL --- Page 40 --- -38- Lake Sweetwater is one of three reservoirs owned by the city of Sweetwater and used for municipal water supply. At spillway elevation the lake contains 11,500 acre feet of water and has 825 acres. Surveys beginning in 1957 and con- tinuing until August 1960 indicated that 0.11 per cent of fish present were game fish and 99.99 per cent were undesirable species. To renovate game fish production 4,256 acre feet of water contained in Lake Sweetwater and the contributing watershed were chemically treated to eradicate existing fish. Live boxes containing 1,400 fish were suspended at various depths during the treatment. None of these fish survived. Thirty days following the treatment 8,000 feet of gill nets were set in the lake and captured only one channel catfish. Following the restocking program Lake Sweetwater was closed until February 1962. At that time creel data indicated that the average catch was 1.3 fish per man hour. This was more than 10 times as great as was indicated in pre-treatment creels. Approximately 3,500 persons attended the re-opening of the lake. Many of the largemouth bass exceeded 2 pounds, and catfish were recorded as high as 3 pounds 11 ounces. Later reports indicated that fishing success was greater later in the spring. Twenty-one gill net col- lections taken between July and December 1961 established that bullheads, bluegill sunfish, and white crappie had been reintroduced into the reservoir. However, these undesirable fish made up only 10 per cent of the catch and were only 17.50 per cent of the total weight. In October of 1962, results from six gill net collections indicated that the primary problematic species, carp, river carp- suckers, and gizzard shad were still absent from the lake. However, bullheads had increased to 43.66 per cent of the fish caught. These fish were being readily taken by trotliners since they weighed over one and one-half pounds. Largemouth bass fishing remained good during the 1962 season and excellent catches of white crappie were reported in the early spring of 1963. --- Page 41 --- -39- -_ eS 00°OOT 9 YLT 00 °O0T ETT STeqIOL eee BT"? GEe° G‘Z% OT E8°T b . atddezo aqyTYyM 6S °€ €0°9 ‘7 8 OT 77° 6 98 TT?8enqTq LY7°C GG" GT 9 88'T v7 ystjuns usei3 LES ST “OT L£°6 T TI LI 91°S TT sseq YINousszeT 99° cE °89 yy T (4 6TT 99° €4 €6 SpeeyuTIng yoetq 68 °T ST°YT LT € TT 72 9L°E 8 ystzyeo Teuueys 98°T BL" y°Z 9 I 77 °% 6 lauTys uepto3 why qyZTaM FO "SZO “Sql "S$ZO “SqT Taquny FO requny T S aBeIIAY quay) tog JYySToOM ee1rsay JU3TIM TeIOL qua9 tag ee Z96T SOE 19q0390 TPOATOSOY Ta VeMJooig Jo souessTeuUOd.A SdTBYSTJ AJOJ Jos sjou T[TZ3 9 Jo sqqnsey ce STdeL --- Page 42 --- -40- Lake Ascarate is located in the southwest quarter of the city of El Paso in county-owned Ascarate Park. The reservoir is supplied by wells from sub- surface deposits, has 47 acres, and contains 247 acre feet. Survey work com- pleted in June 1960 indicated that 93.05 per cent of the total sample weight and 95.50 per cent of all fish present were undesirable species (Project F-5-R-8, Job B-22). To improve game fish production for the lake, existing fish were drastically reduced by a chemical treatment completed in August 1960. This work was apparently successful and the lake was subsequently restocked with game fish (Project F-14-D-4,Job 16a29). Sampling in the 1960-61 period indicated a complete kill was achieved. Results of 6 gill nets set for reconnaissance in April 1962 revealed that black bullheads and carp had been reintroduced into the lake. The -occurrence of carp remains unexplained; however, bullheads were introduced by well meaning, but misinformed, sportsmen who believed them to be flathead cat- fish. Accompanying this effort a vegetation control program was carried out to reduce…