TPWD 1964 F-6-R-11 #931: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 5-B: Job No. B-20 Fisheries Reconnaissance

--- Page 1 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT Federal Aid Project No. F-6-R-11 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION 5-B Job No. B-20 Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: Charles T. Menn J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Program Planning January 6, 1964 --- Page 2 --- ABSTRACT Seven public lakes and portions of two rivers in Region 5-B were visited during this segment to see if any appreciable changes in the fish population had occurred since previous surveys. Game fish species including channel and blue catfish, white bass, largemouth bass and white and black crappie comprised 22.54 per cent of the total number and 3.64 per cent of the total weight of fish taken in nets in Harlingen City Lake, There appeared to be a relative decrease in the game fish, both in numbers and in weight. In Bentsen State Park Lake, rough fish species including alligator and longnose gars, gizzard shad, carp, smallmouth buffalo, bluegill and Rio Grande perch were dominant both in numbers and in weight with 86.84 per cent and 73.45 per cent, respectively, Fort Brown Lake in Brownsville was recently drained and restocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish and green sunfish. Rough fish species including alligator, spotted and longnose gars, threadfin and gizzard shad, carp, black bullhead and Rio Grande perch comprised 96.30 per cent of the total number and 95.80 per cent of the total weight of fish taken in Llano Grande Lake. Game fish species showed a relative decrease both in numbers and in weight in Campacuas Lake. In Delta Orchards Lake, near Monte Alto in Hidalgo County, game fish species including channel and blue catfish, warmouth, white crappie and freshwater drum showed a relative increase in numbers, but a relative decrease in weight, Rough fish species including longnose gar, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, gray redhorse, bluegill and Rio Grande perch were dominant both in total numbers and in total weight in the San Antonio River. There was no significant change in the fish population of Lake Corpus Christi since the 1962 reconnaissance survey. Rough fish species comprised 58.81 per cent of the total number and 72.86 per cent of the total weight of fish netted. Channel and blue catfish, largemouth bass, white crappie,black drum and spotted seatrout are the principal game fish species in the Aransas River. Collectively, they comprised 7.20 per cent of the total number and 3.48 per cent of the total weight of the fish netted, Other than continued water hyacinth control work on Lake Corpus Christi, no recommendations are made in this report for developmental work on the waters visited during the year. --- Page 3 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-6-R-11 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 5-B Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance Job No, B=20 Period Covered: January 1, 1963 through December 31, 1963 Objectives: To conduct limited investigations and to obtain current information concerning gross changes in fishing conditions and factors influencing fish populations. Techniques Used: Standard, 125-foot long, gill nets and common sense minnow seines were used to sample fish populations. The gill nets consisted of nylon webbing, 8 feet deep, with five 25-foot long sections of 1-, 1-, 2-, 2k- and 3-inch square mesh, Nets were set overnight at previously established netting stations and fish specimens were taken from them the following morning. The netted specimens were weighed in grams and measured in millimeters in the field, Sex and sexual development and the occurrence of parasites in the individual speci- mens were recorded. Seined specimens were preserved and taken to project headquarters at Mathis for identification. A list of the common and scientific names of fish species taken during this study is included as Table l, Routine water quality analyses were made on the various lakes and a limited check was made of the surrounding area of each lake to determine land usage and possible sources of pollution. The water level data for Lake Corpus Christi were obtained from officials at Wesley Seale Dam, Fisherman usage of the various lakes was determined by talking to camp owners, game wardens and sometimes to fishermen, Public access is available to all the lakes and rivers studied in this segment. Findings: Harlingen City Lake This 20-acre lake is located in downtown Harlingen and is the city's water supply reservoir, Water in the lake originates from the Rio Grande River and reaches the lake through a system of gravity flow irrigation canals. --- Page 4 --- Table 1. Common name Alligator gar Spotted gar Longnose gar Tarpon Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Mexican tetra Smallmouth buffalo Gray redhorse Carp Pugnose minnow Red shiner Bullhead minnow Sea catfish Channel catfish Blue catfish Yellow bullhead Flathead catfish Gulf pipefish Gulf killifish Blackstripe topminnow Sheepshead minnow Mosquitofish Sailfin molly Amazon molly Striped mullet Tidewater silverside White bass Largemouth bass Warmouth Redear sunfish Bluegill Longear sunfish White crappie Black crappie Freshwater drum Black drum Spotted seatrout Rio Grande perch an Checklist of species referred to in text and tables. Scientific name Lepisosteus spatula Lacepede L. oculatus (Winchell) L. osseus (Linnaeus) Megalops alops atlanticas Valenciennes poresons petenense (Gunther) D. cepedianum (LeSueur) Aatyanan mexicanus (Filippi) Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque) Moxostoma congestum (Baird and Girard) Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus Opsopoeodus emiliae Hay Notropis lutrensis (Baird and Girard) Pimephales vigilax (Baird and Girard) Galeichthys felis (Linnaeus) Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) I. furcatus (LeSueur) I. natalis (LeSueur) Pylodictus olivaris (Rafinesque) Syngnathus scovelli (Evermann and Kendall) Fundulus grandis Baird and Girard F. notatus (Rafinesque) Cyprinodon variegatus Lacépéde Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard) Mollienisia latipinna LeSueur M. formosa (Girard) Mugil il cephalus Linnaeus Menidia beryllina (Cope) Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque) Micropterus salmoides (Laceépede) Chaenobryttus gulosus (Cuvier) Lepomis microlophus (Gunther) = macrochirus Rafinesque » megalotis (Rafinesque) =n annularis Rafinesque PB. P, nigromaculatus (LeSueur) Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque Pogonias cromis (Linnaeus) Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier) Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum (Baird and Girard) --- Page 5 --- = Public angling is permitted on this lake without restrictions or limitations, but little fishing is done due to the preponderance of rough fish species. Netting - Four gill netting collections were made on this lake in February. All told, 71 fish of 11 species were taken (Table 2). The game fish species taken included channel and blue catfish, white bass, largemouth bass and white and black crappie. On the basis of limited netting data, game fish showed a relative decrease both in numbers and in weight. In 1962 game fish species comprised 23.47 per cent of the number and 5.96 per cent of the weight as compared to 22.54 per cent of the number and 3.64 per cent of the weight in 1963. Longnose gar, smallmouth buffalo, gizzard shad and spotted gar, in that order, are the most abundant rough fish species. Collectively, they comprised 70.42 per cent of the total number and 94.80 per cent of the total weight of the fish netted. The length-weight statistics of the fish taken in nets are shown in Table 3, The average "K" factors are in line with those of the 1962 reconnais- sance, Table 4, Seining results, Harlingen City Lake, February 1963 Species Numbers Per Cent of P | Taken Total Number Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Red shiner Mosquitofish Tidewater silverside Bluegill Rio Grande perch Seining - Two seining collections were made at two stations. All told, 38 fish of 7 species were taken in the seining collections (Table 4). Threadfin --- Page 6 --- YSty owes sazeOTpULy Std YyYsnoy quep tog ysStg owe) qUeD 28g 00°O0T sTeqOL unip 1eqeMyserg yotddez. yoetg yotddez. 32TYyM gsseq yInowes1eT xSSeq 32 TUM x4STFIEO ONT xUSTy}eO TouueYyD oT eng YAnNow] Teus peys piezzty) z1e3 9ssousu0T ze8 pajjods qYUSTOM TeIO], (spunod) ‘tequnyn TeqO0] usyel JO que) 13g S7Y43TOM Jo quUaD 129g siequny| €961 Azenaqey SoyeT AQTIO uesuT[iey *3uTQQeEU TITS Fo sq{Nsey °Z eTqeL --- Page 7 --- aselVAVy ~~ $L0208F My Gc°ErL9°S ef EM Cc "e €S°€-69°72 OL°E-OL°E 76" 2-96 °C 89°T-07°T e7°T-€7°T 66°€-872°E €7°7-06°T 09°0-4747°0 79°0-179°O 6€S~ TT? 67-67 c9- TH cS9~CS9 8T7-81é G9L-76 TLE~CTE 90L7-76L CST 7c 6SO0L~-ZEET OT72-796 €961T Azenagey SayeyT ATID uasuTTsey ‘sqjou [[T3 YIM usyeQ YySTJ FO sot AstT}eIS VZUstTaM-YASUST GSé-S6T STI-STT cET-OTT 097-092 S61-S6T SLE-S8TI 6L£7-797 767-682 007-672T 6201-72479 YL9O~-OES "€ OTqeL wnip Loe_zeMyserg oetddez. yoeTg atddez> 93TYyM sseq yQnowesie 7 sseq 33 TUM ystgqeo ented ysty}eo TeuueyD OTESSN4 YaReny TRUS peus piezzty9 1e3 ssousuoyT 1e3 paqjods sotoeds --- Page 8 --- aif shad, red shiners and tidewater silversides, in that order, comprised 81.58 per cent of the total number. On the basis of these limited data, there appears to be a relative increase of approximately 16 per cent in the threadfin shad population and a 26 per cent increase in the red shiner population since the survey of 1962. Stomach Analyses - Unidentifiable fish remains, crappie and bluegills were found in many spotted and longnose gar stomachs. Insect remains and snails were found in two blue catfish stomachs. Stomachs of the gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo and freshwater drum were not examined. Lake Conditions- Submerged vegetation is lacking in the lake due to the high turbidity. Shoreline vegetation, however, consists mainly of bulrushes mixed with a few cattails. Secchi disc readings of light penetration ranged from 7 to 9 inches. It is believed that the turbidity is caused largely by bottom feeding fishes which keep silt in suspension rather than the prevailing southeasterly wind. Recommendations - Anglers should be encouraged to fish for catfish and crappie. An annual reconnaissance survey should be made to determine changes in the status of the fish population. Bentsen State Park Lake Netting - Five gill netting collections were made on this lake in March 1963, A total of 152 fish of 8 species was taken and rough fish species, including alligator and longnose gars, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, carp, bluegill and Rio Grande perch, were dominant both in number and in weight (Table 5). Blue catfish, the only game fish species represented in the netting collections, comprised 13.16 per cent of the total number and 26.55 per cent of the total weight. Though no largemouth bass were taken in the nets, one fisherman reported that he had taken several "nice" bass recently. This lake was chemically treated for a complete kill of fish in January 1960 (see Job Completion Report for Job 16a25, Project F-14-D-4) and restocked with largemouth bass in March 1960, Efforts in June 1960 to screen native fish from the incoming water of the Rio Grande River were unsuccessful (see Supple- mentary Report for Job 16a25, Project F-14-D-4). The length-weight statistics of the netted specimens are presented in Table 6. No appreciable changes were noted for any species. Seining - The single seining collection was comprised of 152 fish of 5 species. Table 7 shows the seining results on Bentsen State Park Lake. Threadfin and gizzard shad and bluegill, in that order, comprised 78.95 per cent of the total number. Mosquitofish, dominant the previous two years, comprised less than 7 per cent of the total number. No largemouth bass were taken in the collections, indicating poor spawning success. --- Page 9 --- UST awes sa eolpurts Ysta Ysnoy Usp 194 ysTg owey Quan Ig 00°0O0T 00° O0T yoried apueiy Ooty TItsenTg x4stg eo on Te die) oTeyINg YWNouyTTeus peus piezzty ie3 ssousu0yT 1e8 LOReSTITV 3u8ToM Teq0L . (spunod) | “zaquny’ TeqO], | ) “UayeL Jo que) rag SqUSTOM Jo qUa9 tag sioquny satoedg €961T YoreW Saye] yreg o}e9S UssjUSg “SutT}}eU TITT3S fo sz[nsey °¢ eTqeL --- Page 10 --- L£8°%- 09°? OT’ ?- 99°¢- 77° 7- 90° C- 0S °0- 96°0- SIOQVOPT My 90°17 vCT-99 Te°e | | S9-0€ T9°T LTEe-O1s 99°E £909-£909 OS °€ | €9L7-O0GSL7 iy LTE-SV 07°0 €TO?-LL8 97°O OVETTI-ELT ~ a8eraAy_ “W) YQsueT prepueIsS €O61T YOTeW Sexe] yreg o2eIGg UesqUog ‘sjou TITS YITA uaye. YysTF Fo soTysTIeIs WYSTOM-YyISUST S?7I-TTIT ZII-T6 TSS 80 679-6475 767-007 097-8eT 682-S8S 0£6-90€ °9 eTIeL yorted apuerag OTYy TIT8enT a ystyqeo ent” die) oTeying YNowyT Tews peys prezzty 1e3 assousu0T 1e8 1OReSTTIV --- Page 11 --- -9- Table 7. Seining results, Bentsen State Park Lake, March 1963 Species Numbers Per Cent of Taken Total Number Threadfin shad 64 Gizzard shad Pugnose minnow Mosquitofish Tidewater silverside Bluegill Lake Conditions- The water level has been extremely low all year. The upper portion, or bend, of this oxbow lake is dry, but a total of approximately 10 acres of water still remain in the lake. A new irrigation canal, completed in July 1961, was built immediately north of the state park to provide more water for farmers in Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District Numbers 7 and 14. Water is pumped directly from the Rio Grande River to supply the canal. At one time it seemed as though an agreement would be reached whereby the park lake would get its water from the irrigation canal. However, no such agreement has as yet been reached, Recommendations - Periodic netting and seining checks should be continued to check changes and developments in the fish population. An annual reconnaissance survey should be adequate. No further developmental work is planned because of the unfavorable water supply. Fort Brown Lake This 33-acre lake, located in downtown Brownsville, was drained in the spring of 1962, dredged in the summer and refilled in the fall of that same year. The water used in refilling the lake came from the Rio Grande River and contained numerous undesirable fishes. Therefore, the lake was treated with rotenone to remove all fishes. The state fish hatchery near Brownsville stocked a large number of largemouth bass fingerlings in December 1962. Netting - Four gill netting collections were made in February 1963 and took a total of 25 fish of 3 species (Table 8). Of the three species, all were classed as game fishes (channel catfish, largemouth bass and green sunfish). Stomach analyses showed insect remains in all bass stomachs, The length-weight statistics of the netted specimens are presented in Table 9. No appreciable change occurred regarding the various species. --- Page 12 --- UP e-Te 7 | é | | 8II-8TT | ystyuns uaeiy VE°ERWGG°T | ZOI-EET | sseq YINowsesie7] OL’ c-0L'?¢ | | ‘ | | ystyqeo [euueyy) SIOVIeT My €961 Azrenaqeg SoyeyT umMoIg JIOq WoTZ UsYye. YSTJ JO SOTASTIEIS JYStom-yRSUeT °G STGP] << YSTJ owes so eoTpuUry 00°O0T sTeI0L xystyuns usery ysseq Unowesiey_ 2Ystyqeo Teuuey) 3U3TOM [eI] a [ udye, JO W7U9D A9d. SZequinn sotoods €961 Azenigeg ‘oyeT umorzg Jaoq BuTZ}JOU TITS Jo sq[nsey °g eTqeL --- Page 13 --- -1l- Seining - One seining collection was made but no fish were taken. The steep banks made seining very difficult. Lake Conditions- Secchi disc readings ranged from 60 to 82 inches, which is very good for this comparatively shallow oxbow lake. Despite the recent dredging, submerged vegetation remains a problem in this lake, As yet, no summer kill of fish due to the abundance of vegetation has been observed or reported. Recommendations - An annual check should be adequate to keep abreast of changes in the fish population and factors affecting it. Llano Grande Lake Llano Grande Lake, approximately 250 acres in size, is located 5 miles south of Weslaco in Hidalgo County, Texas. Formerly it was an old stream bed of the Rio Grande River. Reconnaissance surveys were made in April, August and October 1963. Each survey consisted of six gill netting collections and one seining collection. Generally, public access is limited to the road crossings, but public angling is permitted without additional local restrictions. Netting - Eighteen gill netting collections were made on this lake. A total of 408 fish of 10 species was taken in the netting collections (Table 10). The game fish species taken included channel catfish and warmouth. Of the total fish netted, game fish showed a relative decrease both in numbers and in weight. In 1960 the game fish species comprised 11.20 per cent of the number and 13.08 per cent of the weight as compared to 3.70 per cent of the number and 4.20 per cent of the weight in 1963. Carp, gizzard shad and Rio Grande perch are the most abundant rough fish present. Collectively, they comprised 87.10 per cent of the total number and 87.40 per cent of the total weight of the fish netted. These findings are in line with those of the surveys made three years ago. Game fish species, primarily blue and channel catfish, largemouth bass and white crappie are definitely lacking. Such was also the case three years ago. The length-weight statistics are presented in Table 11. Both alligator and spotted gars showed slight decreases in "K" factors, but gizzard shad, carp, channel catfish, warmouth and Rio Grande perch showed increases in "K" factors, Seining - The seining results from Llano Grande Lake are presented in Table 12, Mosquitofish and threadfin shad comprised 96.74 per cent of the total numbers taken. Both Mexican tetra and red shiners were abundant in the 1960 collections but showed a sharp decline in 1963. Lake Conditions- Eighteen Secchi disc readings were taken on Llano Grande; they ranged from 6 to 13 inches, with a mean average of 9 inches. This compara- tively shallow lake coupled with the thick silt bottom and numerous rough fish keep the turbidity high. --- Page 14 --- ~[2= YSTF owes soeOTpPUTs ystg ySnoy quap t0d ysta awey que 12g yored opureiyg oTy Te NOW eM L20 peeyting yer” 06°E e4styqeo Touuey) OT’ LL dzeg TL°9 peys preZzto HT°O peys uTypeoryl LE °O 1e8 asousu0yT H9°S ze3 pajqods TO’? ze8 10VeSTTIV USTAOM TeIO], (spunod) | ZaqunN [eIO], ueyET, . | Jo quay tg S2YUSTOM {| jo quag 13g S$ Lequriyy sepoads eg lee a ee _| €961 Soe] epuery oueT] “SutTqqeU TITS Jo sjitnssy “OT eTqeL --- Page 15 --- Ppepszodoat SZUSWSANSeOW ONs cv °9-€0°7 | BST-LE | 771-98 | yored epuery oTYy 6L°%-O1'4 CZI-LS 771 S7T-OIT | yjnoureM 8Z°€-89°Z 7547-1972 OvZ-6E7 pesyling yoelg 9€°7-60°Z T8€7- 97471 G94-O1Y ystyjeo Touueyo L6°4-L5°Z | SSTZ-SEz | TE L6€-SO7 | dieg G6°7~ET°T O1S-Z OL7=LS | peys pieZzztp 61°7-61°Z LE-LE 611-611 peys UTppeoryl * % 5 3B ze3 ssousu0y L8°0-479°0O 9771-158 GLS-OLy | 1e8 paz ods TL°O-01°0 060€-060€ 076-046 aes 107e3TT IV €961 ‘eyel epuery oueTT ‘sjJoU [ITS YIM Usaye. YSTJ JO soT}st}IeIS WYStom-yRSuSeT °TT eTqeL --- Page 16 --- =[4- Table 12. Seining results, Llano Grande Lake, 1963 Per Cent of Total Number Species Threadfin shad Gizzard shad 2 0,04 Mexican tetra 12 0.23 Tamaulipas shiner 7 0.14 Red shiner 2 0.04 Sheepshead minnow 116 2.25 | Mosquitofish 3773 73.03 Amazon molly 3 0,06 Tidewater silverside Rio Grande perch Bulrushes and cattails are numerous around the perimeter of the lake. However, these plants are not considered a problem, A few scattered water hyacinths were seen during the 1960 survey, but none were found this year. Recommendations - Large numbers of channel catfish and white crappie should be stocked in this lake. Even though there is little fishing in the summer, winter tourists in the Valley would utilize these species in the fall, winter and spring months, Efforts should be made to prevent indiscriminate use of pesticides in the area, Campacuas Lake Campacuas Lake is located in the same floodway as Llano Grande and covers an area of approximately 120 acres, The lake is located between Weslaco and Mercedes in Hidalgo County, Texas, Public access is not limited or restricted, Netting - Four gill netting collections were made on this lake in April. A total of 80 fish of 9 species was taken in the netting collections (Table 13). The game fish species included channel catfish and warmouth. Of the total fish netted, game fish showed a relative decrease in both numbers and in weight. In 1960 the game fish species comprised 14.58 per cent of the number and 10.06 per cent of the weight as compared to 3.75 per cent of the number and 1.11 per cent of the weight in 1963. This relative decrease is consistent with the findings of Llano Grande Lake. --- Page 17 --- -15- 00° O0T WYST aM TeIO], Jo jJuay tg 00°O0T usyel, Sloquny €961 Ttady ‘eye, senoedueg *8uTQ}OU [TTS Jo sq [nsey YSTyZ owes soeOTpUTy ysta ysnoy Jueg ted YystyA swep quespD Ao0d wnip JezeMysely x4 qnowreM JeTTnu pedtajs xUusTy}eo TouuRY) dze9g oTezgng YAnowyT Tews peys prezzty ze3 paqjjods 1e8 1OReBITIV sotoods “eT 8TIeL --- Page 18 --- xl Bees The length-weight statistics are presented in Table 14. Alligator and spotted gars and channel catfish showed slight decreases in "K" factors; however, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo and carp showed increased "K" factors. Seining - The seining results for Campacuas Lake are presented in Table 15, Mexican tetra, threadfin shad and mosquitofish, in that order, comprised 72.36 per cent of the total numbers taken. Table 15. Seining results, Campacuas Lake, April 1963 Numbers Per Cent of Species Total Number Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Mexican tetra Carp Pugnose minnow Tamaulipas shiner Red shiner Sheepshead minnow Mosquitofish Amazon molly Tidewater silverside Bluegill te Lake Conditions- Four Secchi disc readings were taken on the lake; all were 6 inches. Strong, southeasterly winds, coupled with the thick silt bottom and numerous rough fish, keep the turbidity high. Shoreline vegetation consists of bulrushes and cattails. No submerged aquatics were found. Recommendations - An annual reconnaissance survey should be made to check changes in the fish populations. Delta Orchards Lake Delta Orchards Lake, a 2,200-acre surface irrigation reservoir near Monte Alto, is a part of the Hidalgo and Willacy Counties Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. The reservoir contains approximately 20,000 acre feet of water which is used to irrigate nearly 70,000 acres of farm land. Most of the water comes from the Rio Grande River via a system of gravity flow irrigation canals. --- Page 19 --- -17- EL 7-S7°Z HC° 7-70” 09°7-09°7 91° 7-96°T 60°7-€S °C L9°€-10°C €7°?-78°T 66°0-02°0 TE°1T-2L°0 SIOQICT Ny suweis 6£8-8ST oS~CS 9€6-9€6 CO7- BLE L£SGS-9¥% Z9T-OFVT 79-0S OT72-S6S 9L8%7-17¢9 T872- 981 ZOT-ZOT O€E- OLE 897-S9C €8S-STT VOT-O9T éST- 81 779-ECV O88-cEv 2ST ‘WW) YQsueT prepueqs €961 Ttady ‘oyeT senoedueg ‘sjou TITS yQIM Weyeq ysTF JO SOTASTIEIS JYSTOM-YyIZUST ‘yl OTqeL wunip reqeMusery yqnowzeM qoeT[nu pedtzas ystyqeo Teuuey) dieg oTeyFnqd YANowT TeUs peys preZzZztyO ze3 paqjods ze3 107e3TTIV sotoeds --- Page 20 --- 182 Public angling is permitted for a 25-cent fee per person per day. Trotline fishing, however, is prohibited except to certain persons who are issued special permission. The year 1962 saw a decrease of some 4,000 fishing permits since the previous year. Only 16,000 permits were sold as compared to 20,000 in 1961. This decrease in number of permits sold is not attributed to poor fishing, but rather to the decreasing number of fishermen in the area, In 1962 a nearby Air Force base closed, thus affecting the usual number of anglers, Netting - In March, October and December 1963, 13 gill netting collections took a total of 172 fish of 14 species (Table 16). The game fish species taken in the nets included channel and blue catfish, warmouth, white crappie and freshwater drum. Normally the drum is considered a rough fish species, but is classed as a game fish in this case because anglers at Delta Orchards Lake harvest them in large numbers the year around. Of the total fish taken in the nets, game fish species comprised 52.91 per cent of the number and 34.24 per cent of the weight. A year previously, game fish comprised 71.43 per cent and 32.14 per cent by number and weight, respectively. On the basis of these data, it appears that game fish species are increasing in numbers but decreasing in weight, The most outstanding changes concerning the game fish species are the relative decreases in the white crappie and freshwater drum populations. Crappie comprised 21.21 per cent of the number of fish netted in 1962, but only 4.07 per cent in 1963. Likewise, freshwater drum "decreased" from 33.77 per cent in 1962 to 17.44 per cent in 1963. This apparent decline is not understood; however, no crappie were taken in the reconnaissance surveys of nearby Llano Grande and Campacuas Lakes either, No other significant changes were noted in the fish populations. The average "K" factors, or indices of physical condition, of all fish remained about the same. The length-weight statistics are presented in Table 17. Seining - Five seining collections took a total of 3,334 fish of 14 species (Table 18). Tidewater silversides, mosquitofish, Tamaulipas shiners and thread- fin shad, in that order, comprised 93.97 per cent of the total number. The most significant changes concerned the tidewater silverside and the Mexican tetra. The former showed a relative decrease in numbers and the latter showed a relative increase in numbers. Lake Conditions- Other than thick growths of algae, aquatic vegetation is scarce in the lake. This may be attributed to the fact that the prevailing, strong, southeasterly winds keep silt in suspension in this shallow lake. Recommendations - Since wild fish from the Rio Grande River have constant access to Delta Orchards Lake, population control work would be ineffective and therefore is not recommended, It is recommended, however, that commercial fishing with nets be permitted in order to harvest as many rough fish as possible. Sizable numbers of largemouth bass and white crappie should be stocked in an effort to re-establish these species. --- Page 21 --- -19- UBTAM TeRO JO Juag rt9g (spunod) Loqunyy TeIO], udye lL, S]Y3TOM Jo quag tag sloqunyn €96L Aequiso=~ pue z9q0 7090 SYyoOTeW Saye] spazeyor0o ejteq ‘3u. au TITS JO sqz[nsoy YSTJ owes saqeodTputs ystga ysnoy que9g a0 ystq owe) quep tag yorted apuerzy oTy yunip JoJeMusat | xotTdder. 92TUM TT F3eantg sYnowreM qaT[nu pedt13s xysTyzeo ony xe4sTyzeo Touuey) dze9 oTeJjnq YINowy]Teus “OT 9TIUPL peys prezzty ies ssouszu0y ze3 paqqods ze3 TOAeBITIV sotoedsg --- Page 22 --- 320 09°4-09°% 66°%-12°7? G8°E-95°% 70° 7-L6°E 96°€-96°E 7G °C-EE°T €L°T-ee°T €9°T-€C°T 67°E-7L°S €6°€-90°E 60°2-99°T 9S °0-0€°0 89°0-S9°0 G9°0-29°0 91-97 CEST“ eV GSTS 947-6€ CL°CL BLL7~-E TO? €81e2-L8 T6TI“79€ 6€S-6S 96¢2¢- 61721 S@e-99 T76E-0S2 46L-0¢4 T9ET-787 OOT=O0T 67E- CTT 69T-O¢T GOT~66 (cael TO7~EEY 79S~O8T LET" 98C 6S7-9T WLY-SCE Gée-SST OT6- 807 7647-L6E 6SS-S7V yorsod apueiyg oTYy wnip LoJeMYysely atddezs o2TYUM TIT8enTg yqnowzemM qeTTnw pedtz34s$ ysty3eo ONT ysty eo TouueyD die9 oles gn YRNowy T eus peys prezZzTty) 1e8 asousu0y ze8 peqjods ze8 107eBTITIV Si0}0e 4 Ec “U) YJsue] paepueds setoeds €961 1Equie.eq pue teqoj090 ‘YyoreW SoyeT spreysig e#I19d ‘sjoU [IT3 YIM usyeQ YSTF JO sot Ast je 3s 3YyStem-yzBueT °/T PTdeL --- Page 23 --- -21- Table 18. Seining results, Delta Orchards Lake, March, October and December 1963 Sneeie Numbers Per Cent of Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Mexican tetra Pugnose minnow Speckled chub Tamaulipas shiner Red shiner Longnose killifish Sheepshead minnow Mosquitofish Amazon molly Tidewater silverside Bluegill Rio Grande perch San Antonio River Netting - Four gill netting collections were made on the San Antonio River and Cibolo Creek in September 1963. One of the original stations was dry and could not be netted, A total of 49 fish of 10 species was taken and rough fish species, including longnose gar, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, gray red- horse, bluegill and Rio Grande perch,were dominant both in number and weight (Table 19). Of the four game fish species taken, flathead catfish and largemouth bass are the most important sport fishes; however, their numbers are limited. The gray redhorse was limited to Cibolo Creek, but the other species were uniformly distributed throughout the river basin, Two specimens of smallmouth buffalo were taken at Conquista Park on the San Antonio River; but, again, no carp were taken. There was no significant change in the fish population since the basic survey of 1962 (see completion report for Job B-18, Project F-6-R-10). The length-weight statistics are presented in Table 20. The average "kK" factors are in line with those of the 1962 basic survey. Seining - Table 21 shows the results of the 10 seining collections. Red shiners and mosquitofish were again the most abundant species taken. Collectively, they comprised 91.97 per cent of the seining collections. --- Page 24 --- -22- punod Q]/T Uuey? SssoT poyusTtoMsyss YSTF owes so,eoTpUurLy sta ysnoy JUeD 19g ysSTg owey quag 128g 00° 00T 00° O0T TeqOL yored apuery OOTY xustyuns 1eesuoyT TIFSENTE x qnowreM ysseq YRNowses1eyT x4sSTyqeo peeyieTa aszoyper Aer oTeyynq YINouTTeUsS peys prezzty 1e8 ssousu0yT qUSTAM TeIO], (s punod) ZequUNN [eIOJ, uayel, jo queD t2eg S7YySTOM jo quapg 19g Ss 1equNN satoeds €961 rEequejdas ‘A0ATY OTUOQUY URS 3UTIQeU TITS Jo sz[Nsoy “61 FTIFL --- Page 25 --- -23- GL°SG-9€°% eLT~-cv 0ST~06 yoted apueizy oTY TL°v-TL°7 O€-0€ 98-98 ystyuns 1vasu0T oP’ o=e0°H 99~8E VII 86 TT P8enTE 82° R- CLF 69T-ZS O9T-OTT yqnowreM OL°?-LE °T TOT-98 c9OTWLYL sseq Yyqnouesi1e7 L9°T-19°T €78I-E78T 6L47-6L4 ystyqe9 peoyiela TZ@°?-10°? L06-€7Z 7SE-EZZ asioyper Arig IL°€-22°E E78T-SOL S8E-7L7 oTeygnq YINowyT [eUs 6S°7-T6°T LEL-VE OZE-TZT peys pieZzzty LS*0-€£°0 6672-779 EL8-6SS 3e8 asousu0T | asexoay | ouey | aBexoay ee sotoeds sz0}0e7 wy, 3) USTOM *mu) YJsueT plepuejs €961 toquajdag ‘1aATY OTUOJQUY URS *‘sqjou TITS YATM UsyeR YSTF JO soTAsTJeIs RYSTOM-YIZUST ‘OZ 2TIPL --- Page 26 --- aDlya Recommendations - Every reasonable effort should be made to prevent industrial, municipal and soil pollution in the river. This, of course, would require the combined efforts of many people and agencies, The sportsmen will be limited to catfish angling in the river. Cibolo Creek has a moderate population of largemouth bass in addition to a good catfish population. Since the catfish is one of the principal game fish species in the San Antonio River, commercial fishermen should not be allowed to take them and every effort should be made to protect and propagate them. No developmental work is presently proposed or recommended. Table 21. Seining results, San Antonio River, September 1963 Species Numbers Per Cent of Taken Total Number Gizzard shad Mexican tetra Pugnose minnow Red shiner Bullhead minnow Channel catfish Blackstripe topminnow Mosquitofish Amazon molly Bluegill Longear sunfish Rio Grande perch Lake Corpus Christi Netting - A total of 40 gill netting collections was made on Lake Corpus Christi during January, April, July and October 1963. All told, these nets took 1719 fish of 18 species (Table 22). Rough fish species including alligator, spotted and longnose gars, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, carp, bluegill and freshwater drum comprised 58.81 per cent of the number of fish netted and 72.86 per cent of the total weight. There was no significant change noted in the fish population since the 1962 reconnaissance survey. --- Page 27 --- ~25- UST owes sazeoOTpULy 00°O0T unip Ja}zeMysety yotddezo yoeTg yotddeios oaTYyM xUSTyUNS TeVsUOT TT?8en1d xUST}JUNS Aeepey xyqnowieM 4sseq YnouesreT xsseq o2TUM xY4STF}eo peoyieT A gUSTIe@9 ont? xUSTJQeo TeuueYg dieo oTesyFnd YRNoWTTeus peys piezzty) 1e8 ssousu0T ze3 paqqjods 1e8 7OIeBITIV requnyy TeqO], JO Qquag reg satoeds €961 1990900 Yy8noazyR Adenuec ‘STASTAYD sndiog aye, *B8uT}IQeU T[T3 Fo szTNsoy °7Z PTqPL --- Page 28 --- ~Iba GL°ERSC°S 72 °S~-69°T 96° 7"ST°S éL°S~-60°7 TE*S-TO°Ee 9L°9Or ITE GL°ueSL°Y 96° C75 °Z W1°G-€8°C LE°e-LS°T 66°1T-90°T £0°?-61°T €7°e-6L°7Z Bo "y= E07 60°€-60°T 78°O-TE°O £8°0-LE°0 70°T-77°0 oSeLIAV SI0OOPT My, aBeLAV 668T- TS LOGHCE LOG~EV OT?-9S BETHSE TEeT=S# OL-0L 796-092 8T7T= 80E TT7C-612T G67C~SY 708" CL CVLEWLLT (Ah ee AA] 089-ST €089~-70€ GOS8-E4VT T6€8-6€S aseLlIAV 06€-O02T GOE-66 Cve-VIl O9T= TTT OST=-T6 97T-SOT eTteett 9€€-OT? OSse-T02 €S7- 97% B7S-EVT €Se-04 OO0S-LLT 8547-357 G67~S6 eSOTLT? 956-162 626-17 Um) Yysue] prepuers €961 10qG0390 YySnorzy, Arenuer *TASTAYD snd1z0p syeyT ‘sqaU [ITS YIM Usye. YSTF JO SOTASTIeIS JYZTEM-YISUST °€? STIPL wnip 1azeMysel 7 atddez> yoe Tg atdderz> oaTUM ystyuns 1eesuoT TT TsenTE ystyuns 1eepoy yqnowzeM sseq YNowesre7 sseq oTUM ystyqeo peoulels ystyqeo ontTg ystyqeo Touueyo dieg oTeyyFng YRNoWTT eus peys prezzty) 1e3 asousu0T ze3 pejjods 1e8 1OVeSTTIV --- Page 29 --- 27- Crappie fishing remained about average during the year but largemouth bass fishermen had less than good fishing. This was attributed to the ex- tremely low water level during the spring. Bass fishing picked up a little 'in the fall but was still off. The length-weight statistics are presented in Table 23. No significant changes were noted. Seining - Forty seining collections took a total of 23,013 fish of 21 species (Table 24). Tidewater silversides, red shimers and mosquitofish, in that order, were the most frequently encountered fishes. All told, these three species comprised 84.51 per cent of the fish seined. Threadfin shad comprised only 1.19 per cent of the collection in 1963 as compared to 17.90 per cent in 1962, It must be noted, however, that only one reconnaissance survey was made in the fall of 1962. Table 24. Seining results, Lake Corpus Christi, January through October 1963 Per Cent of Total Number Spotted gar Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Mexican tetra Smallmouth buffalo Carp Pugnose minnow Red shiner Bullhead minnow Channel catfish Tadpole madtom Sheepshead minnow Mosquitofish Amazon molly Tidewater silverside Largemouth bass Green sunfish Redear sunfish Bluegill Longear sunfish Rio Grande perch --- Page 30 --- ~28 - Stomach Analyses - Unidentifiable fish remains were found in the stomachs of both alligator and spotted gars. Shad were found in many white bass stomachs when food was present but many stomachs were empty. Lake Conditions- The water level varied from 1 to 8 feet below the 88-foot crest of the dam during the year (Table 25). In early July the lake rose nearly 7 feet but began dropping again in mid-July. Undoubtedly the fluctu- ating water level affected the spawning of centrarchids, especially largemouth bass and crappies. Chemical control of water hyacinths in the upper portions of Lake Corpus Christi was continued under Job 15a4, Project F-15-D-5, Such work is necessary in order to maintain access for fishermen, Secchi disc readings of light penetration ranged from 6 to 28 inches. The water was consistently clearer in the lower reaches of the lake, Water analyses were made at two stations and all values were normal for this region. Recommendations - Quarterly checks should be made to maintain current infor- mation on the status of the fish population. Water hyacinth control work should be continued. Aransas River Netting - Twelve gill netting collections took a total of 389 fish of 18 species. Rough fish species including alligator, spotted and longnose gars, tarpon, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, sea catfish, yellow bullhead, striped mullet, bluegill, freshwater drum and Rio Grande perch comprised 92.80 per cent of the number of fish netted and 96.52 per cent of the total weight. No significant changes in the fish population were noted since the basic survey was made in 1956. The results of gill netting are presented in Table 26, The length-weight statistics are presented in Table 27, No significant changes were noted. Seining - Twelve seining collections took a total of 7,575 fish of 15 species (Table 28). Mosquitofish and bluegill, in that order, were the most frequently encountered fishes. All told, these two species comprised 90.01 per cent of the fish seined. The presence of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, red shiners and Rio Grande perch in the upper reaches of the river shows that where the salinity is reduced the water is suitable for freshwater species, The invasion of salt water from the bay apparently prevents their distribution in fishable numbers farther downstream. Stomach Analyses - Unidentifiable fish remains were found in the gars' stomachs. Insect and/or fish remains were found in catfish and sunfish stomachs, Recommendations - Since public access is limited on the river, no developmental work is proposed. The river is of an intermittent nature and, under present conditions, would not support a good sports fishery. --- Page 31 --- -29- * AON 97 9T 9 LZ 300 LT ZL C961 °qdas “3ny AqneE aun Kew Ttady yoren °qoq (7 11 2 8% SI 8 62 61 6 62 61 6 O€ OZ OT OE OZ OT TE T7 TI T 61 6 OF 0¢ OL Te 12 Itt E961 TEqueAON YSnorzy} Z961 oequedag ‘sTeAeT Aoe}eM TISTIYD sndzop eyeT "ueLr °Gc PTdeL c96T °2aq OS T8 Ke) ice) 8 én © 8 OO 8 TeAXT Bes UPoW BAOQGe Joy --- Page 32 --- -30- YyStyZ owes so edTpULy cS ° 96 ysta ySnoy que9 sz9g B7°E YStq owey queg tag 00° 00T Teq0L yorted apuelry oTy x norzesas paqjjods xUNIp AeTS unip teqzeMysorg yotdders aq TUM TItS8entg xsseq yRnoussiey JeTTnu pedtzjAs pesyT Ind MOTTeEA x4STFIeO ONT? xYST ze Touuey) ystyqeo Bas oTeygng YAnowTTeus peys przezzty uodiey, ie3 ssousuoy ie8 paqjodg 1e8 AORVeSTTLIV uoyelL Ss ioequny Zaqunyy [e270], jo que tog (spunod) Ss Uu8TOM WYysTOM TeIO], JO qUe9 AD9g sotoods €961 3snSny pue Aew SAOATY Sesuery SBUTIREU [TTBS Jo sj[Nsey °97 eTqeL --- Page 33 --- “51 siojoeg 07° 7-07°7 €S°T-€G°T 82° E-€8°T GE°E-GCE €6°E-TEE LO°G-LY°S G8°7-87°7 L6°T-€9°T TT°€-Ge°? G9O°T-¢I"°T T6°T-1S°T 79°T-87°T 86°E-EL°T 62°7-90°T €O"'1-€O'T 9L°0-472'°0 76°0-TE°O 97° 1T-69°0 Holi 29-99 COT-C9OT 089-762 479-79 OL7- CET 9E-9€ GCE-SST TS8-602 T77-1T8¢ 1S8-60T TOLT-O8€ SO1T-7Z ECSC~ Bct. 7847-01 O1Z-OTZ 8ISL-SLZ 8977-S8T 8L78-SE8T *‘sjau [ITS yITM usyeR YysTZ JO so OOT-OOT O72-0¢7¢ 087-82 G9T-S7T O6T-SST L£8-L8 SéC-78T ELE-OCE oVC- TCC O6€-S6T L£97-€672 c6L-S9OT 677-812 827-08 ELZ-ELT OTTT-09% T79- 80€ G7OT-269 “Uy y@sueT parepueys €961 3sn8ny pre Ae ‘1TeATY sesuesy f3e3s 2YysTeM-yqSUsT “ZO OT9PL yorzod apueiy oTYy qnoijzess paqjods wnip yoetg wnip TezeMysely atddeid aqTYUM TTF8enT sseq yQnowsesie7, qeT[nu pedtzq4s pesyTind MOTTeA ysty eo ent dg ystyqeo Teuuey) ystyqeo Bas oTeysnq YANoUTTeus peus prezztyg uodiey, ies ssousu0T ae8 paqjods 1e3 1OVeSTTIV --- Page 34 --- ~32- Table 28. Seining results, Aransas River, May and August 1963 Numbers Per Cent of Taken Total Number Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Pugnose minnow Red shiner Gulf pipefish Gulf killifish Sheepshead minnow Mosquitofish Amazon molly Striped mullet Tidewater silverside Largemouth bass Bluegill White crappie Rio Grande perch 100.00 Regulatory Authority The 58th Texas Legislature placed six counties in this region under Regulatory Authority to the Parks and Wildlife Department. In August 1963 the proposed fishing regulations for the six counties were reviewed and discussed with area game wardens in Rockport. In September the project leader attended four public hearings and the Inland Fisheries Supervisor, Region V, attended the other two. Since sufficient data were unavailable to justify any changes, the current regulations were kept in force. Recommendations - In future segments this work will be conducted under Job B-19, Project F-6-R, For information purposes a comparison of netting success is included as Table 29, Prepared by Charles T. Menn Approved by a a Project Leader Coordinator Date January 6, 1964 Kenneth C. Jurgens Regional Supervisor --- Page 35 --- =93< JON FO 2004/Y4sTta JO spunog aselIAV JEN FO JON/USTA qysnep J00g/YST a FON/USTA qysne) SION FO jo spunog ystgq jo jo AJaquny | Jo rz9quny ystaq jo }2aq Fo aselaay spunog aBeLIAV aBeLIAV Aequnyn Aaquny 7y48ned YsSTFZ Jo spunod pue Aaqunu Jo swia} UT BUTI}AEU T[T3 Jo ssasons S}9N jo Zaquinyy €961 °“Sny 9 AeW JOATY sesuely €961 °adas LOATY OTUORUYW eS €96T ayey epueiy oueyy €96T °q9a aye, AIQ usSutT1eH €961 °d9a ayeyT umorg 410g €961 Ttady aye], senoedueg €96L °12W aye] yled o7e7g9 Uesqueg €961 °29d B °3900 6 °1eK ayel spzeyoz70O eITeq €96T °390 nay “URL Tastay9 sndiog oye7T 10jemM Jo Apog "6c 8TIPL