TPWD 1963 F-7-R-11 #864: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 1-A: Job No. B-18 Fisheries Reconnaissance

--- Page 1 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT as required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-7-R-11 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION I-A Job No. B-18 Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: Lonnie Peters J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Assistant Director, Wildlife June 2, 1964 --- Page 2 --- ABSTRACT Reconnaissance was done on eleven lakes and five rivers this segment. Lakes surveyed were Baylor, Buffalo, Buffalo Springs, Childress, Fryer, Marvin, McClellan, Pauline, Reese Air Force Base, Stamford, and the White River Reservoir. Rivers surveyed were the Brazos, Canadian, Pease, Red, and the White River. Lake Baylor showed a rise in game fish percentage from 1962 to 1963. Data indicate that the carp are not spawning in this lake. Buffalo Lake showed a small rough fish population percentage increase from 1962 to 1963; however, continuing efforts are being made to curtail their ex- pansion. Buffalo Springs Lake continues to be a problem, but a separate job description has been written on this lake in an attempt to determine the lake's problems and devise methods of correction. Lake Childress is in good condition, although a general loss in "K" factor has occurred since 1962. Lake Fryer needs management, badly, and the best answer would be a chemical renovation of the lake and watershed. Lake Marvin has a sunfish problem which is linked with its clear water and dense vegetation. Lake McClellan needs management, but it is recommended that this be postponed until a proposed alteration of the dam and spillway is implemented. Lake Pauline has produced very good growth in stocked largemouth bass since its renovation last year. Reese Air Force Base Lake produced good growth in largemouth bass and channel catfish stocked early in the spring. Lake: Stamford shows no major changes and two new species were recorded this year: longnosed gar, Lepisosteus osseus, and redear sunfish, Lepomis microlophus. The White River Reservoir and watershed were renovated in November. All rivers surveyed showed practically no fishing potential, and very few localities showed large minnow populations. --- Page 3 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-7-R-11 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 1-A Job No. B-18 Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance Period Covered January 1, 1963 - December 31, 1963 Objectives: To collect representative samples of fish populations from waters where data are needed to determine changes in the balance of species and changes in the conditions of individual species. To determine basic ecological conditions where not available from previous surveys, or major changes in ecological conditions having important effects on the fish population. To determine utilization and fish harvest of each concerned water area. To determine if management, development, or stocking programs are needed, and to recommend such programs as are necessary to improve the fishery. Techniques Used: On lake surveys, both seines and varying numbers of standard survey gill net units were used. Small fish were seined in water up to four feet deep with a 20-foot one-eighth inch mesh seine or a 40-foot one-fourth inch mesh seine. Deeper water was seined with a 100-foot or a 300-foot one-half inch mesh seine. Where nets were used, they were set in the evening and taken up the next morning from established netting stations. After the fish were removed from the nets, 50 fish (if available) of each species were weighed, measured for standard length and sexed. The remaining fish were counted and weighed to permit com- putation of percentage composition by numbers and weight. Game or predatory species had their stomachs removed and the stomach and contents were preserved in 10 per cent formalin for food analysis in the laboratory. Physical data collected during the lake surveys included air temperature, water temperature, estimated wind speed and direction, weather conditions, and where pertinent, water chemistry and dissolved oxygen content. In some lakes plankton and bottom samples were taken. On river surveys, seines were used to make fish collections in almost all cases unless deep pools were located, and then standard survey gill nets were used. Fish that were seined and which were known to be beneficial species were counted and returned to the water. Unidentified species or fish whose identity might be questioned were returned to the laboratory in 10 per cent formalin for identification and counting. Undesirable species were counted but not returned to the water. Physical data collected during each river survey included air and water temperature, estimated wind velocity and direction, stream or pool width and --- Page 4 --- si Dins depth, rate of flow, vegetation, bank conditions and cover available in the water. Techniques used in determining major ecological changes were observation of the number, condition, and ratio of fishes collected plus observation of the water level, turbidity, and general condition of the water being surveyed. Utilization of the waters surveyed and fish harvest were determined by conversation with fishermen and lake concessionaires. Analysis of present data and comparison with past data is the basis for any management, development, or stocking recommendations. Findings: Results of reconnaissance are presented according to data for each lake in alphabetical order, and following the lakes, for rivers in alphabetical order. Lakes surveyed this year were Baylor, Buffalo, Buffalo Springs, Childress, Fryer, Marvin, McClellan, Pauline, Reese Air Force Base, Stamford, and the White River Reservoir. Rivers surveyed this year were the forks of the Brazos, Canadian, Pease, Red, and the White River. Lake Baylor Lake Baylor was surveyed in June and October 1963. Table 1 shows the results of gill netting in June and Table 2 shows the October results. A comparison of these tables indicates a 15.31 per cent decline in the game fish population during the summer and a corresponding 15.14 per cent rise in the rough fish population. Populations of individual species show variation between June and October in the following manner: carp ~ 11.29 per cent increase, black bullhead - 3.45 per cent increase, channel catfish ~ 16.29 per cent decrease and white bass - 0.05 per cent decrease. No largemouth bass were netted in June and two were netted in October. However, clear water and the selectivity against catching largemouth in gill nets may explain this absence of bass in the netting sample. It is known from fisherman success and talking with the concessionaire that there is a good population of largemouth bass in Lake Baylor. Table 1. Percentage Composition by Number and Weight and Average Weight of Fish Species Taken by 10 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets from Lake Baylor ~ June 1963 Per Cent Per Cent by Total by Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Carp 31 21.67 88.10 54.18 2.84 Carp-goldfish hybrid 1 0.70 0.90 0.56 0.90 Channel catfish 39 27.28 42.74 26.29 1.09 Black bullhead 54 37.76 14.44 8.88 0.26 Flathead catfish 2 1.40 9,27 5.70 4.03 White bass 6 4.19 6.06 3.73 1.01 Longear sunfish 1 0.70 0.07 0.04 0.07 White crappie 9 6.30 1.00 0.62 0.11 Total 143 100.00 162.58 100.00 --- Page 5 --- Table 1 continued Game Fish 57 39.86 59.14 36.38 Rough Fish 86 60.14 103.44 63.62 Total 143 100.00 162.58 100.00 Table 2. Percentage Composition by Number and Weight and Average Weight of Fish Species Taken by 12 units of Standard Survey Gill Nets from Lake Baylor- October 23, 1963 Per Cent Total Per Cent by Weight by Average Species Number Number Pounds Weight Weight Carp 60 32.96 22264 ds 74.06 3.71 Carp-goldfish hybrid 2 1.10 4.81 1.60 2.41 Channel catfish 20 10.99 26.00 8.64 1.30 Black bullhead 75 41.21 19.01 6.33 0.25 White bass 13 7.14 17.98 5.98 1.38 Largemouth bass 2 1.10 8.12 2.70 4.06 Bluegill 1 0.55 0.14 0.04 0.14 Longear sunfish 2 1.10 0.15 0.05 0.08 White crappie 7 3.85 1.78 0.60 0.25 Total 182 100.00 300.70 100.00 Total Game Fish 45 24.73 54.17 18.01 Total Rough Fish 137 75.27 246.53 81.99 The game fish population shows a rise in percentage composition from the 1962 survey in May to the June 1963 survey of 21.43 per cent indicating continuing good fishing for Lake Baylor. Tables 3 and 4 show seining data. The June survey produced 185 forage- size fish in 12 hauls. It should be noted that plains minnows had recently been placed in the lake by the concessionaire. Thirty-three largemouth bass of finger- ling size were seined, indicating that adequate reproduction had occurred in the lake. The lake level had dropped about four feet from June to October and cover was less abundant in October. This allowed more fish to be seined, although minnows are still very scarce due to the lake's abruptly deepening shoreline with little shelving liminal zone. There is little suitable area with cover to allow minnow propagation. The minnow species with the most individuals seined in October was the red shiner with 406. Table 3. Percentage Composition of Fish Taken in 12 hauls by a 20-foot one-eighth inch Mesh Seine from Lake Baylor, June 1963 Number Per Cent Plains minnow 117 63.24 Bullhead minnow 3 2.70 Red shiner 6 3.24 Ghost shiner 2 1.09 Bullhead catfish 1 0.54 Mosquito fish 1 0.54 Longear sunfish 9 4.86 Bluegill 10 5.41 Green sunfish 1 0.54 Largemouth bass 33 17.84 Total 185 100.00 --- Page 6 --- dpe Table 4. Percentage Composition of Fish Taken in 12 hauls by a 20-foot One- eighth Inch Mesh Seine from Lake Baylor. October 23, 1963. Species Number Per Cent Red shiner 406 44.86 Bullhead minnow 15 1.65 Killifish 7 0.78 Mosquitofish 353 39.00 Largemouth bass 5 0.56 Green sunfish 32 3.53 Bluegill 80 8.84 Orangespotted sunfish 7 0.78 Total 905 100.00 Examination of the food items in Tables 5 and 6 shows seasonal variation in food. In June the channel catfish consumed much grain, maize, wheat, and some corn. From Table 5 it is apparent that they had little competition for this (probably introduced) food. Potomogeton sp. was next in frequency of occurrence and the black bullheads were competing with the channel catfish. Insects, both larvae and adult, seem to be next in demand for both black bullheads and channel catfish. Microscopic crustaceans were eaten in about the same proportions by channel catfish and black bullheads. White bass preyed on fish (largemouth bass), dragonfly larvae, and Crustacea, and all four crappie had eaten insect larvae. Table 5. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species taken from Lake Baylor - June 1963 Channel Black White Flathead Longear White Species Catfish Bullhead _ Bass Catfish Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 39 50 6 2 1 9 Number with food 32 31 6 1 0 4 Food Items - Frequency Algae 4 1 1. Largemouth bass 2 Black bullhead 1 1 Corn 1 Crayfish 2 Crustaceans 6 6 2 Dragon fly larvae 3 2 2 l Fish remains 5 3 1 Insect larvae 9 21 1 4 Insect remains 5 3 Maize 14 1 Mud 2 4 Mussels 3 3 Potomogeton 17 10 Vegetation 1 1 Wheat 5 Wood 1 1 EL --- Page 7 --- Table 6. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species Taken from Lake Baylor by 12 units of Standard Survey Gill Nets. October 23, 1963 Species Channel Black White Largemouth Longear White Catfish Bullhead _ Bass Bass Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 21. 50 11 2 2 7 Number with food 10 29 8 2 2 3 Food Items - Frequency Algae 6 7 2 Daphnia 4 1 Fish remains 3 5 2 1 Insect larvae 1 2 2 2 1 Pocket gopher remains 1 Mud 17 Mussels 1 1 Sand 3 Vegetation 2 2 In October, grain is gone as a food item, Potomogeton sp. is missing and algae tops the list as food for channel catfish and is recorded as food for black bullheads. Fish remains occurred in black bullheads, white bass, large- mouth bass, and white crappie at this time of the year. Tables 7 and 8 give "K'' factors for the June and October surveys. "K"' factors for June show a drop in black bullhead condition, compared to May 1962, from 2.4 to 1.6. Channel catfish remained stable at 1.6 for all three surveys. Data for 1962 do not have enough fish for valid "K" factor comparisons other than with black bullheads and channel catfish, although 5 white bass averaged 2.7 and 5 carp averaged 2.5. In June and October 1963 white bass averaged 2.4 and 2.6 respectively. Almost all carp netted were large and no young have been recorded in seine samples, indicating a lack of successful spawning by carp in Lake Baylor this year. Table 7. '"K"' Factor Range and Average for Fish taken from Lake Baylor by 10 units of Standard Survey Gill nets - June 1963, Species Number of fish Range Average Carp 31 Lele2is9 2.4 Carp-goldfish hybrid 1 3.0 3.0 Channel catfish 39 1.3-1.9 1.6 Black bullhead 50 1.9-3.9 1.6 Flathead catfish 2 1.7-2.7 2.2 White bass 6 2.3-2.7 2.4 Longear sunfish 1 4.7 4.7 White crappie 9 2.3-2.7 2.5 --- Page 8 --- ~f- Table 8, "K'' Factor Range and Average for Fish taken from Lake Baylor with 12 units of Standard Survey Gill Nets. - October 23, 1963 Species Number of Fish Range Average Carp 49 1.7-3.6 2.7 Carp-goldfish hybrid 2 3.4-3.6 3.5 Channel catfish 19 1.3-2.2 1.6 Black bullhead 50 1.5-3.2 2.5 White bass 13 2.3-3.0 2.6 Largemouth bass 2 2.93.6 ores) Bluegill 1 3.4 3.4 Longear sunfish 2 4,.2-4.5 4.4 White crappie 7 2.4-3.4 2.8 Buffalo Lake Buffalo Lake was surveyed in July and November 1963. July netting data, given in Table 9, show 566 fish of which 38.34 per cent were game fish. The game fish portion of the fish population is composed of 9.54 per cent channel catfish, 13.96 per cent bluegill, 14.32 per cent white crappie, 0.35 per cent white bass and 0.17 per cent longear sunfish. The rough fish portion of the fish population consists of 27.73 per cent carp, 23.68 per cent black bullheads and 10.25 per cent goldfish and carp-goldfish hybrid. Table 9. Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken by Gill Net from Buffalo Lake - July 24, 1963. Total Per Cent Weight by Mean Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight Carp 157 os el aw FA 468.65 58.57 2.98 Goldfish 25 4.42 41.18 DoL5 1.64 Carp-goldfish hybrid 33 5.83 98.78 12.34 2.99 Channel catfish 54 9,54 77.85 9.73 1.44 Black bullhead 134 23.68 68.14 8.52 0.50 White bass 2 0.35 2.44 0.31 1.22 Bluegill 79 13.96 22.84 2.85 0.28 Longear sunfish 1 0.17 0.08 0.01 0.08 White crappie 81 14.32 20.11 si 5D 0.24 Total 566 100.00 800.07 100.00 : Game Fish 217 38.34 123.32 15.41 Rough Fish 349 61.66 676.75 84.59 In November, 549 fish were collected by gill nets and Table 10 shows that 47.72 per cent of them were game fish. The game fish portion of the fish population is composed of 36.62 per cent white crappie; and largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass and sunfish species comprise the remaining 11.10 per cent. --- Page 9 --- Table 10. Percentage composition of Fish Species taken from Buffalo Lake by 12 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - November 13, 1963 Per Cent Total Per Cent by Weight by Mean Species Number Number Pounds Weight Weight Carp 76 13.84 242.1 38.05 3.19 Goldfish 9 1.64 18,2 2.86 2.02 Carp-goldfish hybrid 33 9,65 79.5 12.50 1.50 Channel catfish 16 2.92 40.3 6.33 2.52 Black bullhead 149 27.14 104.3 16.39 0.70 White bass 10 1.82 7.9 1.25 0.79 Largemouth bass 10 1.82 2.7 0.42 0.27 Bluegill 23 4,19 568 0.91 04.25 Longear sunfish 2 0.36 0.2 0.03 0.10 White crappie 201 36.62 135.2 21.26 ‘0.67 Total 549 100.00 636.2 100.00 Game Fish 262 47.72 192.1 30.19 0.73 Rough Fish 287 52.28 444.1 - 69.81 _ 1.55 | Comparing July and November, netting data show a 9.38 per cent rise in game fish which can be attributed, for the most part, to the increased crappie population. Comparison of data from July and November shows a population increase of 1.47 per cent for white bass, 1.82 per cent for largemouth bass, 3.46 per cent for black bullhead and 22.30 per cent for white crappie. The channel catfish population declined 6.62 per cent in number but showed a rise in mean weight, as did all other species except white bass and they were taken in insufficient numbers for a valid comparison. Comparison with the 1962 netting results shows an increase in game fish from April 1962 to July 1963 surveys and a loss between the two November surveys. There is an increase in all game fish except crappie which were superabundant in two nets in 1962, and this reflects a crappie population decline from 1962 of 29.47 per cent. The channel catfish population increased 2.64 per cent, white bass 0.43 per cent and largemouth bass 1.12 per cent. All rough fish populations increased from November 1962 to November 1963 by the following percentages: carp ~ 5.07, carp-goldfish hybrid - 8.19, goldfish - 1.08, and black bullhead - 13.49. Two-hundred-foot seine sample data collected in April 1962, when compared to three-hundred-foot seine samples collected in July 1963 data in Table 11, reveal a population decline in goldfish of 28.05 per cent and a small decline in largemouth bass and golden shiners; Population increases of 0.51 per cent by carp, 43.79 per cent by black bullheads and 23.36 per cent by white crappie were also indicated by the data collected with the long seines. Red river shiners, plains minnows, fathead minnows and plains killifishes were taken in 1963 while none were taken in 1962. --- Page 10 --- Table 11. Percentage Composition of Fish taken from Buffalo Lake with a 300-foot Seine - July 24, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Carp 26 . 1.52 Goldfish 4 0.23 Hybrid (carp-goldfish) 2 0.12 Golden shiner 134 7.86 Red river shiner 1 0.06 Plains minnow 4 0.23 Fathead minnow 6 0.36 Plains killifish 1 0.05 Bullhead catfish 1005 58.95 Largemouth bass 12 0.70 Bluegill 53 3.11 Orangespotted sunfish 1 0.06 Longear sunfish 6 0.35 White crappie 450 26.40 Total 1705 100.00 Seining data collected with a 20-foot and a 40-foot seine in July (Table 12) show a 13.08 per cent forage fish population (omitting sunfish and bullheads). Data from the 20-foot seine sample for November are in Table 13. If small sunfish are included as forage fish, the seine samples show 16.35 per cent forage for July and 80.13 per cent for November. The July figure reflects the terrific number of small black bullheads seined in schools which might also be included as forage, in which case 95.04 per cent forage fish would be shown in the July seining samples. Table 12. Percentage Composition of Fish taken from Buffalo Lake with a 20-foot one-eighth Inch Mesh and a 40-foot one-fourth Inch Mesh Seine - July 24, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Carp 6 0.67 Golden shiner 47 5.30 Red river shiner 26 2.93 Red shiner 20 2.26 Fathead minnow 15 1.69 Black bullhead catfish 698 78.69 Plains killifish 8 0.90 Largemouth bass 5 0.57 Green sunfish 17 1.91 Bluegill =) 0.57 Orangespotted sunfish 3 0.33 Longear sunfish 4 0.45 White crappie 33 3.73 Total 887 100.00 --- Page 11 --- Table 13. Number and Per Cent of Species of Fish taken from Buffalo Lake with a 20-foot one-eighth inch mesh Seine at 14 Stations. (One drag per station) - November 12 and 14, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Golden shiner 18 6.16 Red shiner 32 10.96 Bullhead minnow 1 0.34 Black bullhead 3 1.03 Killifish 8 2.74 Mosquitofish 15 5eL3 Largemouth bass 31 10.62 Green sunfish 1 0.34 Bluegill 156 53.43 Orangespotted sunfish 2 0.68 Longear sunfish 1 0.35 White crappie 24 8.22 Total 292 100.00 eS Stomach content analysis data in Tables 14 and 15, showed channel catfish and black bullheads to be in direct competition for algae, insects and crustaceans, all of which are short-energy chain foods and enable these fish to do well in almost any fertile lake. Small bluegills and white crappie were also competing for these foods while larger fish ate longer energy chain foods. White crappie and white bass are direct competitors with largemouth bass and each other for the available forage fish species. Table 14, Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species from Buffalo Lake - July. 24, 1963. Channel Black White Longear White Species Catfish Bullhead Bass Bluegill Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 40 50 2 50 1 50 Number with food 26 35 1 25 0 21 Food items - Frequency Algae, filamentous 26 33 1 Algae, single celled 34 Amphipods 14 2 Aquatic Insects 4 3 Bryozoans 5 Cladocera 11 Copepods 3 2 Crayfish 3 Damsel fly larvae 2 3 Dragon fly larvae 4 1 1 Fish eggs 4 Fish hook 1 Fish remains 8 1 1 iL. 15 Fish scales 5 Fly larvae 3 8 3 Fly pupae L --- Page 12 --- -10- Table 14 continued Channel Black White Longear White Species Catfish Bullhead Bass Bluegill Sunfish Crappie Grass seed 2 4 Vegetation 4 18 9 2 Insects 1 1 Insect larvae 5 Insect pupae 1 Rock 1 Sand grains 1 2 3 Seed 1 Turtle vertebrae 1 Wood 2 ee Table 15. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species taken from Buffalo Lake by 12 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - November 13, 1963 White Channel Black Sand Largemouth Longear White Species Catfish Bullhead Bass Bass Bluegill Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 15 50 10 10 22 2 50 Number with food 4 23 7 8 13 0 45 Food Items - Frequency Algae 1 2 9 Fish remains 4 18 7 7 1 45 Fish scales 2 Insects 1 7 2 2 Vegetation 4 3 Wood 3 Worm 1 a "K" £actors improved from July (Table 16) to November 1963 (Table 17), and in general decreased from November 1962 to November 1963. Channel catfish "kK" factors rose from 1.7 in 1962 to 1.9 in 1963, white bass from 3.1 to 3.4, and largemouth bass were stable at 2.9. Carp, goldfish, carp-goldfish hybrids, and black bullheads all showed decreases in their "K" factors, which indicates a lessening of basic short-energy chain food supply available per fish. Possibly this shortage is caused by population fluctuation or lake conditions. Table 16. "K' Factor Range and Average for Fish taken from Buffalo Lake - July 24, 1963 Species Number of Fish Range Average Carp 50 1.3-3.6 2.8 Goldfish 25 2.1-4.8 3.7 Carp-goldfish hybrid 25 2.0-3.5 3.0 Channel catfish 50 1.5-2.5 1.9 Black bullhead 50 2.1-3.9 2.7 White bass 2 3.1-3.2 3.1 Bluegill 50 4.0-5.8 4.8 Longear sunfish L 4.4 - White crappie 50 2.6-3.9 342 --- Page 13 --- -11- Table 17. "K' Factor Range and Average for Fish taken from Buffalo Lake by 12 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - November 13, 1963 Species Number Range Average Carp 50 2.0-3.5 2.8 Goldfish 9 4.1-5.8 5.1 Carp-goldfish hybrid 50 2,776.5 3.4 Channel catfish 16 1.7-2,2 1.9 Black bullhead 50 1.4-3.3 2.4 White bass 10 3.1-4.0 3.4 Largemouth bass 10 2.5-3.4 269 Bluegill 23 3.5-5.1 4.6 Longear sunfish 2 4.3-4.7 4.4 White crappie 50 2.0-5.0 3.7 A ten-foot rise in June caused a halt in an early and heavy crappie harvest. Large numbers of small fish were being caught in deeper areas prior to the lake rise. In the fall, fewer but larger crappie were being taken. Spring fishing was good for channel catfish. Swarms of black bullhead fry and fingerlings were scooped up in an experi- mental effort to thin out this species of questionable value and allow growth of those remaining to a more desirable size more quickly. Tierra Blanca Creek was fenced off and treated with rotenone in an attempt to determine the feasibility of the method as a control of spawning carp in Buffalo Lake, as well as an actual effort to reduce the standing crop of carp. Buffalo Springs One survey was made at Buffalo Springs in June 1963, at which time 221 fish were taken from 10 units of standard survey gill nets. Data in Table 18 show 35.29 per cent of this number were game fish and 64.71 per cent were rough fish. The 64.71 per cent rough fish contained 56.11 per cent black bullheads. Two species, black bullheads and bluegill sunfish, constituted 89.60 per cent of the total fish population sample. The game fish were 33.49 per cent bluegills and 1.80 per cent channel catfish, green sunfish, and orangespotted sunfish. No largemouth bass were netted or seen, although the water was very clear. Clear water might explain why none were caught in the gill nets. Table 18. Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken by 10 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets from Buffalo Springs Lake - June 1963 Total Per Cent Weight by Mean Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight Golden shiner 19 8.59 3.17 3.56 0.16 Channel catfish 2 0.91 2.81 3.17 1.40 Black bullhead 124 56.11 76.33 85.95 0.61 Green sunfish 1 0.45 0.10 0.11 0.10 Bluegill 74 33.48 6.32 7.11 0.09 Orangespotted sunfish 1 0.46 0.08 0.10 0.08 Total 224. 100.00 88.81 100.00 --- Page 14 --- =] 2 Table 18 continued Game Fish 78 35.29 9.31 10.48 Rough Fish 143 64.71 79.50 89.52 In 1962, two surveys were made at the lake, one in April and one in December. If the April data are compared to the survey in 1963 there is a 29.52 per cent increase in game fish and a decrease of 30.52 per cent in rough fish. All data indicate that the bluegill population is increasing and this makes up the major difference in game species percentages. Examination of Table 18 shows that these bluegills are now too small to be attractive to the fisher- man. Netting indicated that the channel catfish population remained within 0.04 per cent of last year's sample. Table 19 shows the results of 11 drags with a 40-foot seine which pro- duced 1,898 fish, of which 1,698 or 89.46 per cent were bluegill sunfish. A high proportion of these bluegills were young-of-the-year about one inch or less in length. The green sunfish represent 5.11 per cent of the seine sample, largemouth bass 3.43 per cent, and golden shiners 0.26 per cent. Seining was done in 1962 with a 20-foot one-eighth inch mesh seine and is not compared with this year's data because the clear water and vegetation cause differential species selectivity between the two seine lengths. Table 19. Percentage Composition of Fish Species taken in 11 drags of a 40-foot One-fourth Inch Mesh Seine from Buffalo Springs Lake - June 1963 Species Number Per Cent Golden shiner 5 0.26 Red shiner 8 0.42 Mimic shiner 2 0.11 Fathead minnow 16 0.84 Black bullhead catfish 5 0.26 Largemouth bass 65 3.43 Green sunfish 97 5.11 Bluegill 1698 89.46 Longear sunfish 2 0.11 Total 1898 100.00 "K" factor data in Table 20 show a shift between 1962 and 1963 as black bullheads are shown to be in poorer condition in 1963 (2.5 compared to 3.0). Little variation in other species is apparent, except bluegills are also de- clining in "K" factor from 5.2 to 4.8. Table 20. '"K'' Factor Range, Average and Distribution for Fish Species taken from Buffalo Springs Lake - June 1963 Species Number Range Average Golden shiner 19 2.0-2.9 2.4 Channel catfish 2 1.6-2.6 221 Black bullhead 25 0.8-3.4 2.5 Green sunfish 1 4.2 4.2 Orangespotted sunfish 1 4.9 4.9 Bluegill 25 4.0-5.7 4.8 y --- Page 15 --- <[3= The small amount of data available for food habit analysis are presented in Table 21. Due to lack of volume no comparisons between 1962 and 1963 data are made. Table 21. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species taken from Buffalo Springs Lake - June 1963 Channel Black Green Orangespotted Species Catfish Bullhead Sunfish Bluegill Sunfish Number Examined 2 25 1 1 25 Number with food 2 15 0 6) 15 Food Items - Frequency Algae 4 Bluegill 1 Crustaceans (mostly daphnia) 7 11 Fish remains 1 2 1 Insect larvae 9 6 Insect remains 1 2 Beetle 1 Mussels p) 1 a Fisherman usage of the lake is high, totaling 87,000 visits by fishermen last year as computed from gate receipts. The effect of this pressure on the game fish population is now a matter of pure speculation. However, a job description for a problems study at Buffalo Springs Lake has been submitted, and an important part of this study will be to determine the effects of fishing pressure on the fish population. Dissolved oxygen and pH tests were run on the lake water in October. Samples were taken in front of the concession area and about 50 yards west of the dam near the center of the lake. Dissolved oxygen readings ran from 3.8 to 7.8 parts per million in water collected from 0 to about 16 feet in depth. Below this depth the D. 0. content tapered off in the deeper water to less than 1 part per million and in the deeper water a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide gas was detected. These factors will also be studied in the research next segment. Lake Childress Surveys were made of Lake Childress in June and October of 1963. In June 110 fish were taken and 25.45 per cent of them were game fish and the rest were black bullheads. The game fish were channel catfish, green sunfish, redear sunfish, bluegill and white crappie. Bluegill as shown by Table 22 constituted 16.36 per cent of the fish population. No largemouth bass were taken in June although visual observations and discussion with the concessionaire indicate a good largemouth bass population. This year's June percentages of overall game fish population is reduced by 6.75 per cent compared to May of last year, with a 6.53 per cent drop in channel catfish taken in the nets. No second survey was made in 1962, and therefore October figures cannot be compared. --- Page 16 --- -14- Table 22. Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken by 8 Units of Standard Survey Gill Net from Lake Childress - June 18, 1963 Total Per Cent Weight by Mean Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight Channei catfish 4 3.63 11.80 35.44 2.95 Black bullhead 82 74955 18.06 54.25 0.22 Green sunfish il 0.91 0.11 0.33 0.11 Redear sunfish 1 0.91 0.72 2.16 0.72 Bluegill 18 16.36 1.33 4.00 0.07 White crappie 4 3.64 1.27 3.82 0.31 Total 110 100.00 33.29 100.00 Game Fish 28 25.45 15.23 45.75 Rough Fish 82 74.55 18.06 54.25 The October survey in 1963 shows quite a different percentage distribution ‘of species. This survey was made when the water level was about 18 feet below spillway and a wind kept the water slightly roiled allowing a good netting sample with proportionally less selectivity in species caught. Table 23 shows the netting results for October and black bullheads still constitute the entire undesirable fish population of 56.32 per cent. The game fish portion of the population is composed of the following percentages: largemouth bass 6.90, channel catfish 4.59, and sunfish and crappie 32.19. Almost all game fish collected were of good "keeper" size and this indicates an actual 40.00 per cent harvestable crop of game fish. By weight the game fish population is 75.71 per cent. Table 23, Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken by Six Units of Standard Survey Gill Net from Lake Childress - October 23, 1963 Total Per Cent Weight by Mean Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight Channel catfish 4 4.59 11.25 25.34 2.81 Black bullhead 49 56.32 10.78 24.29 0.22 Largemouth bass 6 6.90 10.84 24.43 1.81 Redear sunfish 9 10.35 5.14 11.58 0.57 Bluegill 7 8,04 0.72 1.62 0.10 White crappie 12 13.80 5.65 12.74 0.47 Total 87 100.00 44,38 100.00 Game Fish 38 43.68 33.60 75.71 Rough Fish 49 56.32 10.78 24.29 May 1962, seining data are from a 200-foot seine and show a lower percentage of game fish than the June 1963 20-foot seining data in Table 24. Table 24. Percentage Composition of Fish Species taken in 10 Drags by a 20-foot One-Eighth Inch Mesh Seine from Lake Childress - June 18, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Black bullhead l 1.63 Largemouth bass 33 54.10 Green sunfish 11 18.04 Bluegill 16 26.23 Total 61 100.00 --- Page 17 --- June seining produced 54.10 per cent largemouth bass, which were a natural spawn and the other game species taken were sunfish. October seining produced 52.96 per cent forage species, 2.96 per cent largemouth bass, 0.73 per cent black bullheads, and 43.45 per cent sunfish. Data from the October seining are in Table 25, Table 25. Percentage Composition of Fish Species taken in 11 Drags by a 20-foot one-eighth Inch Mesh Seine from Lake Childress - October 23, 1963. Species Number Per Cent Black bullhead 3 0.73 Plains killifish 19 4.68 Mosquitofish 196 48.28 Largemouth bass 12 2.96 Green sunfish 83 20.44 Redear sunfish 54 13.30 Bluegill ee ee 39 _ 9.61 Comparison of "K'' factors for 1962 with June 1963 shows a decline in channel catfish condition factor from 2.1 to 1.6, black bullheads from 2.9 to 2.1 and bluegill from 5.0 to 3.8. Examination and comparison of the figures in Tables 26 and 27 show that fish collected in June and October surveys differ very slightly in "K" factor. Table 26. '"K'' Factor Range and Average for Fish Species taken from Lake Childress - June 18, 1963 Species Number aaa Average Channel catfish 4 -4°1.9 1.6 Black bullhead 50 -4~5,0 2.1 Green sunfish l 303 - Redear sunfish 1 4.4 7 Bluegill 18 3.4-4.4 3.8 White crappie _ 4 _ 2.973.2 2.8 Table 27, "K'' Factor Range and Average for Fish Species taken from Lake Childress ~ October 23, 1963 Species Number Range Average Channel catfish 4 le D~L af 1.6 Black bullhead 49 1.6-2.8 2.0 Largemouth bass 6 2,183.1 2.6 Redear sunfish 9 3.6-4.1 3.8 Bluegill 7 2.8-4.4 Bad Crappie 12 2,373 «Dd 2.8 Food materials consumed in 1963 are shown in Tables 28 and 29. Examining Table 28 for June, reveals almost no competition between species, and food sub- stances are essentially the same as for May 1962. October stomach analyses reveal more competition, and it is suspected that a larger sample of channel catfish would reveal competition with black bullheads to a greater degree. It is interesting to note that largemouth bass show only two food items and that they are competing with all species taken for insect larvae, and three species for forage fish. --- Page 18 --- -16- Table 28. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items of Predatory Fishes taken from Lake Childress by Eight Units of Standard Survey Net - June 18, 1963 Channel Black Green Redear White Species Catfish Bullhead Sunfish Sunfish Bluegill Crappie Number Examined 4 50 1 1 18 4 Number with Food 1 26 0 1 4 3 Food Items ~- Frequency Algae 16 Bullhead 1 Cotton rat 1 Dragonfly larvae 1 1 Crustaceans (microscopic) 9 3 2 Insect larvae 4 1 Grasshopper 1 Mud B) Mussels 1 Plains Minnow 3 Potomogeton 3 1 Vegetation 1 Table 29. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items of Predatory Fishes taken from Lake Childress by Eight Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - October 23, 1963 Channel Black Largemouth Redear Species __——_—Ssd«SCatt fish Bullhead Bass Sunfish _ Bluegill Crappie Number Examined 4 50 6 9 7 12 Number with Food 4 39 3 9 6 8 Food Items - Frequency Algae 2 17 8 2 Crayfish 1 Crustaceans (Microscopic) 28 3 3 Eggs 4 Fish Remains 2 L 2 4 Insect larvae 1 17 2 5 3 1 Insects 3 5 L 1 Mussels 5 7 Vegetation 2 9 7 2 1 Miscellaneous 3 3 During the month of October, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature readings were taken. The water temperature at all depths was 69°F, Dissolved oxygen was 1.3 parts per million at 25 feet, 7.0 parts per million at 12 feet, and 7.2 parts per million at the surface. The pH varied from 8.1 at 25 feet to 8.3 at the surface. The drop in "K" factors could be caused by low water conditions, restricting the food producing areas of the lake while sufficient vegetation remains in- undated to provide ample cover for forage organisms. A rise in water level --- Page 19 --- =l 7/2 during the winter or early spring should bring a rise in '"'K'' factors and excellent fishing next year if the demonstrated population percentage ratios hold over the winter. Lake Fryer Lake Fryer was surveyed one time in July 1963 and 274 fish were netted with 53.28 per cent being game fish. However, 50.73 per cent of the fish population were white crappie, average weight 0.13 pound. Gill netting data are in Table 30. No largemouth bass were taken and channel catfish made up 2.19 per cent of the fish population. Table 30. Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken from Lake Fryer by 10 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - July 9, 1963 Total Per Cent Weight by Average Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight Carp 29 10.58 35.49 46.35 1,22 Channel catfish 6 2.19 3422 4.21 0.53 Black bullhead 99 36.13 19,24 25.13 0.19 Bluegill 1 0.37 0.07 0.09 0.07 White crappie 139 50.73 18,54 24,22 0.13 Total 274 100.00 76.56 100.00 24,22 Game Fish 146 53.28 21.83 28.51 Rough Fish 128 46.72 54.73 71.49 Total 274 100. 00 76,56 100.00 In August 1962, 247 fish were taken and 54,61 per cent of the fish population were white crappie averaging 0.11 pound. Two largemouth bass were taken and they comprised 0.46 per cent of the fish population compared to none in 1963, It is known that some largemouth bass are in the lake because of the concessionaire's report concerning fishing, but none were collected in July 1963. Netting in July 1963 produced 2.19 per cent channel catfish having an average weight of 0.53 pounds, compared to 1.61 per cent with an average weight of 1.58 pounds in 1962. Table 30, giving percentage composition, shows 36.13 per cent black bullheads and 10.58 per cent carp. Seining with a 20-foot seine in July 1963 produced 7,590 minnows. The large number of minnows can be attributed to a recent spawn in Wolf Creek. Species distribution in Table 31 is calculated from the ratio of adult and easily identifiable young and the total number contains volumetric estimates. Of the total seining sample 97.95 per cent were minnows and 1.61 per cent were sunfish. Total forage~size fish, including sunfish, represented 99.56 per cent of the 20- foot seine collections. Red shiners, sand shiners, and fathead minnows were the numerically dominant species. August 1962 seine samples had 96.05 per cent minnows and 3.28 per cent sun- fish for a total of 99.33 per cent forage-size fish. Red shiners were the most numerous at 89.94 per cent. Both year's surveys indicate good minnow populations. --- Page 20 --- ~18- Table 31. Number and Percentage Composition of Fish Species taken by 10 Drags of a 20-foot Seine from Lake Fryer - July 9, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Golden shiner 156 2.01 Suckermouth minnow 131 1.69 Red river shiner 121 1.56 Red shiner 2652 34.22 Sand shiner 1216 15.70 Fathead minnow 3309 42.70 Channel catfish 12 0.15 Black bullhead 3 0.04 Plains killifish a) 0.07 Green sunfish 11 0.14 Orangespotted sunfish 45 0.58 Longear sunfish 69 0.89 White crappie 19 0.25 Total 7749 100.00 Stomach analysis, data in Table 32, showed insects, Crustacea, vegetation, and fish to be the most frequently eaten foods and they were eaten competitively by channel catfish, black bullheads, and white crappie. Plankton drags in the lake showed Crustacea to be very abundant in July. Seining showed that forage- size fish were abundant and that forage-size white crappie were overabundant. Table 32. Food Items of Fish Species taken from Lake Fryer - July 9, 1963 Channel Black White Species Catfish Bullhead Bluegill Crappie Number Examined 6 43 1 50 Number with Food 6 29 1 43 Food Items ~ Frequency Algae 1 1 Bryozoa 2 1 Cladocera 13 32 Copepoda 16 23 Crayfish 1 1 1 Diptera larvae 3 7 Egg case 1 Ephemeroptera larvae 3 1 Fish remains 3 7 Gastropods 2 Gellatinous Mass (?) 1 Insects 2 4 8 Leech 1 Liver (cut bait) 1 Ostracods 1 1 Roundworms 1 1 Sand 1 Spider 1 Vegetation 2 17 4 --- Page 21 --- =-|9~ The body and mouth size of these crappie restricts them to eating small or young fish and this could allow them to prevent game species from expanding by excessive predation on the young game fish. Examination of 1962 tables showed food consumption to be very much the same as for 1963. "R" factor data, Table 33, if compared to August 1962 data, showed a decline in condition of channel catfish from 1.7 to 1.6, white crappie from 2.85 to 2.7, and black bullheads from 2.45 to 2.3. Carp remained stable at 2.5 and data for other species were not comparable due to an insufficient number of specimens. Table 33. "K" Factor Average and Distribution for Fish Species taken from Lake Fryer by 10 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - July 9, 1963 Species Number Range Average Carp 29 2.12.9 2.5 Channel catfish 6 1.5-1.7 1.6 Black bullhead 50 1.8-2.9 2.3 Bluegill 1 = 3.9 Crappie 50 2.2°3.3 2.7 Bottom samples were taken at two locations in the lake. One sample was taken at the east end near the dam and one at the inlet of Wolf Creek at the west end of the lake. Slowing currents have deposited considerable organic debris at the mouth of Wolf Creek so that volumetric analysis shows one sixty- fifth of the bottom sediment to one~foot depth to be macroscopic organic detritus. Annelids, diptera larvae, gastropods and ostracods were noted as organisms present. Bottom material from the east end of the lake contains large amounts of silt and negligible amounts of macroscopic organic material or organisms. The lake was flooded and 7 feet of water flowed over the spillway for several hours on June 15, 1963. A large number of white crappie were left stranded by the receding flood waters and witnesses stated that tubs full of small crappie (approximately the same size as those taken in gill net samples) were picked up after the flood. This crappie kill apparently did not appreciably deplete the excessive crappie population. Eighty fishing licenses were sold at the concession stand in the month of June 1963; and water skiing is popular in the evenings and on weekends. This lake needs management in the worst way, but some local people oppose chemical treatment. The excessive bullhead and crappie population prevent other fish from getting ahead, however, the County Commissioners Court and the County Judge are newly installed and seem to be interested in the lake. They implemented spillway alteration, recommended in last year’s job completion report, which provides a 24-inch vertical downstream face to prevent fish migration up and over the previously smooth spillway. This should prevent upstream migration of rough fish in normal overflow, but floods of the proportion occurring in June would allow migration upstream by rough fish. --- Page 22 --- -20- Lake Marvin Lake Marvin was surveyed in July 1963 and 186 fish were collected as shown in Table 34, Game fish made up 80.11 per cent of the fish collected with sunfish composing 63.98 per cent of the fish population, Many of the bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and redear sunfish had numerous parasites in the liver and mesenteries of the intestines, however, there seems to be no correlation between parasitized fish and low "K" factors, Table 34. Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken from Lake Marvin by 6 Units of Standard Survey Gill Net - July 16, 1963 Total Per Cent Weight by Average Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight Channel catfish 7 3.76 10.13 8.11 1.44 Flathead catfish 4 2.15 62.25 49.85 15.56 Black bullhead 37 ~ 19.89 12.04 9.65 0.32 Largemouth bass 18 9.68 29.47 23.60 1.36 Redear sunfish 27 14.52 2.84 2.27 0.10 Bluegill 92 49.46 8.02 6.43 0.08 White crappie _. 1 0.54 0.11 0.09 0.11 Total 186 100.00 124.86 100.00 Game Fish 149 80.11 112,82 90.36 Rough Fish 37 19.89 12.04 9.64 Total 186 100.00 124.86 100.00 The entire undesirable fish population was composed of black bullhead catfish. Comparison with July 1962 data shows a population percentage gain in channel catfish, redear sunfish, bluegill sunfish, and a loss in largemouth bass and black bullheads., Black bullheads were reduced from 38.96 per cent to 19.89 per cent which is a sufficient drop to indicate advantageous predation by the flathead catfish which were stocked for that purpose. Seining data, in Table 35, showed only 18.42 per cent mosquitofish as a forage species and sunfish as the balance of the sample. Vegetation provides much cover and sunfish spawning was still in progress on the date of survey. Table 35. Number and Per Cent of Fish Species taken from Lake Marvin by 5 Drags of a 20-foot one-eighth Inch Mesh Séine -- July 16, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Mosquitofish 14 18.42 Green sunfish 46 60.52 Redear sunfish 11 14.48 Hybrid (sunfish) 5 6.58 Total 76 100.00 — 00 Stomach analyses of predatory species showed competition between all species present for the same foods (Table 36), which indicates a lack of food variety in Lake Marvin. All fish species except the one crappie had eaten fish. All fish species except largemouth bass had eaten crustaceans and all fish except crappie had eaten vegetation, and insects had been eaten by all except largemouth bass, --- Page 23 --- -21- Table 36. Food Items of Fish Species taken from Lake Marvin by Gill Nets - . July 16, 1963 Channel Black Largemouth Redear Longear Species Catfish Bullhead _ Bass Sunfish Bluegill Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 7 36 15 26 16 45 1 Number with Food 6 15 8 16 11 37 1 Food Items - Frequency Amphipods 1 1 3 4 7 1 Largemouth bass 1 Black bullhead 2 Cladocera 1 Fish remains 2 1 5 4 3 1 Insects 1 4 8 5 ll 1 Ostracods 1 Roundworms 1 Sand 1 Vegetation 6 12 2 15 8 29 "K" factors in Table 37 show improvement compared to 1962 data in all species with the four flathead catfish showing a gain from 1.7 to 2.1, redear sunfish from 3.1 to 3.9, and largemouth bass from 2.6 to 2.7. Two flathead catfish had lost their tags and of the two that retained tags, one had lost one-fourth pound in weight and gained two inches in standard length and the other had gained two and three-fourths pounds in weight and one inch in standard length since March 8, 1962. Table 37. "K" Factor Range and Average for Fish Species taken from Lake Marvin by Gill Nets - July 16, 1963 Species Number Range Average Channel catfish 7 1.4-1.7 1.5 Black bullhead 37 1.9-3.0 Ziel Flathead catfish 4 1.8-2.4 2,1 Largemouth bass 18 2.4-3.2 2.7 Redear sunfish 27 3,274.5 3.9 Bluegill 69 3.1-4.5 Ba7 White crappie 1 - 3.2 Lake Marvin was 2 feet below spillway and quite clear in July. A 3-inch Secche Disk was visible to 4 feet 7 inches depth. Vegetation still constitutes a problem as about one-fourth of the surface was choked with vegetation sufficiently dense to make operation of on outboard motor difficult. Some continuing method of plant control needs to be inaugerated to allow more predation by game species on sunfish and to allow "weed-free" fishing for anglers. Lake McClellan Lake McClellan was a special project, Job No. E-6, in 1962 and was surveyed two times, once in March and once in December. In 1963 one survey was made in July when 251 fish were taken by gill nets. Table 38 shows 9.56 per cent of these fish were game fish and 5.18 per cent of the fish population were white crappie and 3.19 per cent, channel catfish. --- Page 24 --- ~2%= Table 38. Percentage Composition by Number, Weight and Average Weight of Fish Species taken by Ten Units of Standard Survey Gill Net from Lake McClellan - July 7, 1963 Total Per Cent Weight by Average Species Number Per Cent Pounds Weight Weight ’ Carp 141 56.17 231.71 89.30 1.64 Carpsucker 1 0.40 0.48 0.18 0.48 Channel catfish 8 3.19 5.11 1.97 0.36 Black bullhead 85 33.86 18.17 7.01 0.21 White bass 1 0.40 2.42 0.93 0.40 Bluegill 2 0.80 0.16 0.06 0.08 White crappie 13 5.18 1.41 0.55 0.10 Total 251 100.00 259.46 100.00 Game Fish 24 9.56 9.10 3.51 Rough Fish 227 90.44 250.36 96.49 Carp comprised 56.17 per cent of the fish population with river carpsucker 0.40 per cent and black bullheads 33.86 per cent. Seining with a 20-foot seine (Table 39) produced 345 fish of which number 65.51 per cent were minnows, 20.29 per cent sunfish and 14.20 per cent were channel catfish, white bass and largemouth bass. Table 39. Number and Per Cent of Fish Species taken by Eight Drags of a 20-foot one-eighth Inch Mesh Seine from Lake McClellan - July 7, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Red river shiner 4 1.15 Red shiner 174 50.44 Plains shiner 2 0.58 Bullhead minnow 43 12.46 Channel catfish 4 1.16 Plains killifish 2 0.58 Mosquitofish i 0.29 White bass 1 0.29 Largemouth bass 35 10.15 Orangespotted sunfish 67 19.42 Bluegill 2 0.58 Longear sunfish 1, 0.29 White crappie 9 2.61 Total 345 100.00 Stomach analyses produced the data in Table 40 which shows a fairly wide variety of foods present and no concentrated food competition. ''Fish scales" are listed separately on several tables in this report due to the fact that the scales in the stomach came from fish much larger than the owner of the stomach. Bryozoa and other microscopic organisms were observed to be attached to some of the scales and these organisms, rather than the scales, could constitute the reason for their ingestion. --- Page 25 --- -23« Table 40. Food Items of Predatory Species taken by Ten Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets from Lake McClellan - July 7, 1963 Channel Bullhead White Species Catfish Catfish Bass Bluegill Crappie Number Examined 8 50 1 2 11 Number with Food 5 33 1 2 10 Food Items - Frequency Amphipods 6 1 Cladocera 17 2 8 Copepoda 1 Crayfish 1 Filamentous Algae 2 5 1 Fish remains 5 1 3 Fish scales 1 10 1 Insect larvae 3 12 2 1 Insect remains 1 1 Mayfly larvae 7 1 Odonota larvae 1 1 Ostracods 1 Sand grains 1 2 1 Spider 1 Vegetation 11 Watermelon meat 1 "K" factors are not contained in last year's data and cannot be compared; however, they are low this year for some species as shown in Table 41. Table 41. '"'K'' Factor Range and Average for Fish Species taken from Lake McClellan- July 7, 1963 Species Number Range Average Carp 50 1.9-3.1 2.4 Carpsucker dL. = 2409 Channel catfish 8 1.3-1.9 1.5 Black bullhead 50 1.7-2.9 2.1 White bass 1 - 3.6 Bluegill 2 3.1-3.3 Bae White crappie 13 2.2-3.0 2.5 The ,water level was 9 feet below spillway when the 300-foot-seine sample was collected in July, and 673 fish were collected. Data in Table 42 show that 20.80 per cent of the sample were rough fish, 77.42 per cent were game fish with white crappie 46.36 per cent, sunfish 15.61 per cent, channel catfish 13.67 per cent, and white bass 1,78 per cent. Minnows constituted 1.78 pe…