TPWD 1969 F-4-R-16 #1262: Region 2-A Fisheries Study: Job No. B-37, Fishery Management Recommendations, Federal Aid Project No. F-4-R-16

--- Page 1 --- JOB PROGRESS REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-4-R-16 REGION 2-A FISHERIES STUDY Job No. B-37: Fishery Management Recommendations Project Leader: Charles T. Menn J. R. Singleton Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services February 11, 1970 --- Page 2 --- SUMMARY During this segment, 15 major public lakes in North Central Texas were checked on a quarterly basis. From 5 to 15 netting collections were made on each lake. Length and weight data were recorded for the specimens taken in the netting collections, and notes were made on those specimens taken in the seining collections. Notes were made on aquatic vegetation. Game fish species comprised 50% or more of the total number of fish taken in 9 lakes. But, by weight, rough fish species were dominant in 13 of the 15 lakes. In 5 lakes, rough fish species comprised more than 80% of the total weight of all fish taken. Some consideration should be given to controlling the rough fish in those lakes. Aquatic vegetation control work should be done at Lake Weatherford to prevent the spread of noxious vegetation. More good fishing areas will become inaccessible if the vegetation is not controlled. This job should be continued so that we may be able to keep abreast of changes in the fish populations. This information will be valuable in managing the fishery resources of this area. --- Page 3 --- Job Progress Report State of__ Texas Project No. F-4=R=16 Name; Region 2-A Fisheries Studies Job No. __ B-37 : Title: Fishery Management Recommendations Period Covered: ___January 1, 1969 to December 31, 1969 Background: The first group of major public lakes in this region, 15 in all, were checked quarterly during the preceding segment. The second group of major lakes were checked quarterly during this segment. Thus, all of the major public lakes in Region 2-A have been checked at least four times during the past two years. Even though these data are limited, they should be useful in making stocking recommen- dations, population control recommendations, and recommendations pertaining to the need for a contract fisherman. Objectives: To determine the need for changes in fish harvest regulations, stocking, population control, vegetation control, and contract fishing in Region 2-A waters. Procedures; Proposed fishing regulations for the Possum Kingdom Regulatory Area were discussed at a Game Management Officer-Biologist meeting prior to being presented at public hearings in each county under Regulatory power. The fishing laws were then presented to the Commissioners of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The regulations which set seasons, bag and possession limits, and means and methods of harvest, were based upon results and findings of surveys and work done in this region. Fifteen major public lakes in the region were divided into 3 groups: less than 5,000 acres, 5,000 to 10,000 acres, and more than 10,000 acres. From 5 to 15 nets, based on the size of the lake, were set overnight in each lake during each quarter. Experimental gill nets, 150 feet long with varying mesh sizes from 1 to 3% inches, and a 20-foot seine were used to make the fish collections. The game fish species were weighed and measured individually. A representative sample of rough fish species were weighed and measured and the remainder of rough fish were counted and bulk weighed. --- Page 4 --- = 2s Seining collections were made and the number of game fish and the forage fish species taken was recorded. Stocking recommendations were based on seining collection data. Gill netting data were used in considering whether or not a contract fisher- man might be beneficial to a lake. Notes were made on the types of aquatic vegetation present and whether or not it interfered with access or fishability of an area. Table 1 is a checklist of all fish taken in the netting and seining collec- tions during the segment. Only common names are used in the report. Findings: Garza-Little Elm Reservoir Gill Netting: Rough fish species (spotted and longnose gar, threadfin and gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, carp and freshwater drum) comprised 66.86 percent of the total number and 84.03 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the 59 netting collections made on this Denton County lake jn 1969. One net was stolen; thus only 59 collections were made. Smailmouth buffalo and river carpsucker were the most frequently taken rough fish species, as they comprised 52.31 percent of the total number and 70.09 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections (Table 2). Eight species of game fish were taken in the collections. White bass and white crappie comprised 27.37 percent of the total number and 13.79 percent of the total weight of all fish taken during the year. The white bass weighed an average of three-quarters of a pound. The "K" factors of all game fish species revealed the fish to be in good condition. Seining Collections: Nine seining collections were made in conjunction with the netting trips. Each collection consisted of from three to 10 hauls, and each haul was from 20 to 40 feet in length. Threadfin shad were taken in large numbers in the June and December col- lections. Only a few of them were taken in the September collections. In one haul in December, 178 specimens were counted. Gizzard shad were also found in good numbers. Brook silversides were common in nearly all the collections. Several largemouth bass and white crappie fry were picked up in late June, and larger bass, from 2- to 5-inches in length, were found in the September collections. Red and blacktail shiners, fathead minnows, golden shiners, blue- gill, longear sunfish, logperch, mosquitofish, and one river carpsucker were taken in the seining collections during the year. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake. Several patches of pondweed, Potamogeton, were seen, but it is not considered to be a problem. --- Page 5 --- satoads ysty ysnor sazeoTput % L6°S7 OL °O8E Tee LE? ysta swepD €0°78 16°€00°Z 98°99 Z88 YstA Yysnoy 00 *O0T 19° 78E°Z 00°C0T 6TE “T $1210], 97°O TO°rl TZ°T 97 xUnip Ja esyssad 72° OT TOL 97°OT 8El atddeas a3TuM 61°0 €S°7 0S*z €€ TL Psan Tg T0°O oT’o 86°G I ystjuns seapagq T0°G ETO 80°0 T qq nowzeM GS°0 CO°ET eL°T €Z sseq YI nowsas1e7 GS °6 G9°L7Z 16°91 €ZZ sseq a3TyM oc *0 68° TT €2°O € ystyieo prayed z6°0 c0° 7% aT GT ysty3eo jsuueYs T2°S GE°7eT 9G‘ Ly ydiey cS OE TL°LEL 6L° 97 LZE ydayonsdie.. 139ATH LG°6€ 69° €76 CS °LZ £9€ eZOTPF ING YIHoUyT LeUus vI-€ 18°92 66°S 6L peus piezzty to" 92°0 S7°0 9 ~peyus ULypeozyL cere €€°6l 77° T 61 ¥ie3 asousucy 6L°T GL°27 06°T 4 ¥ie3 paqjods 3ysToM JO (spunog) — aisqunN [eI0L AJoquny quasieg 243ToOM [eIO], Jo qUsd2ag yeqoL 6961 - SITHSoYy BUTIION ATOAtosoy WY 91331 T-eziey Z 219PL --- Page 6 --- ~ du Table 1 Checklist of Fish Species Common Name Shortnose gar Spotted gar Longnose gar Threadfin shad Gizzard shad Bigmouth buffalo Smallmouth buffalo River carpsucker Gray redhorse Spotted sucker Carp Golden shiner Blacktail shiner Red shiner Fathead minnow Channel catfish Blue catfish Black bullhead Yellow bullhead Flathead catfish Blackstripe topminnow Mosquitofish Brook silverside White bass Spotted bass Largemouth bass Warmouth Green sunfish Redear sunfish Bluegill Orangespotted sunfish Redbreast sunfish Longear sunfish White crappie Logperch Freshwater drum Scientific Name Lepisosteus platostomus L. oculatus L. osseus Dorosoma petenense D. cepedianum Ictiobus cyprinellus I. bubalus Carpiodes carpio Moxostoma congestum Minytrema melanops Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis venustus N. lutrensis Pimephales promelas Ictalurus punctatus I. furcatus I. melas I. natalis Pylodictis olivaris Fundulus notatus Gambusia affinis Labidesthes sicculus Roccus chrysops Micropterus punctulatus M. salmoides Chaenobryttus gulosus Lepomis cyanellus L. microlophus L. macrochirus L. humilis L. auritus L. megalotis Pomoxis annularis Percina caprodes Aplodinotus grunniens --- Page 7 --- « 5 = Eagle Mountain Lake Gill Netting: The netting results are summarized in Table 3. In all, 990 fish of 18 species were taken in the 40 netting collections made on this Tarrant County lake in 1969. Smallmouth buffalo and river carpsucker, in that order, ranked first and second in totai number and total weight of all fish taken during the year. To- gether, they comprised 52.43 percent of the total number and 77.88 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. White crappie and white bass, in that order, were the most frequently taken game fish species. They comprised 19.30 percent of the total number and 5.15 per= cent of the total weight. Largemouth bass comprised less than 5 percent of the total number of fish taken in the nets and siightly more than 2 percent of the total weight. All game fish species were considered to be in good condition, as shown by their "K" factors. Seining Collections: Brook silversides, red shiners, and blacktail shiners were the most frequently taken fish in the seining collections. Several small (i- to 3-inches) largemouth bass were taken in the July collections, and several larger (up to 8 inches) bass were taken in the October collections. Fathead minnows, threadfin and gizzard shad, biuegill, and logperch were also taken in the collections, but they were less common. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake. However, it should be noted that there are approximately 200 acres of common cattails, 300 acres of bulrushes, 20 acres of American lotus, and 25 acres of pondweeds, in the lake at this time. Lake Arrowhead Gill Netting: Rowgh fish species (shortnose, spotted and longnose gar, gizzard shad, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, carp, and freshwater drum) comprised 53.33 percent of the total number and 79.18 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in this lake which is in Archer and Ciay Counties. Carp were the most frequently taken rough fish species; they comprised 32.82 percent of the total number, and 29.84 percent of the total weight (Table 4). White crappie were the most frequently taken game fish species. In all, 65 specimens were taken in the netting collections. It seems that white crappie are well established in this turbid lake. Even though only 4 channel catfish were taken in the netting collections, several fishermen reported that they had taken many catfish. Seining Collections: Gizzard shad were the most abundant fish taken in the seining collections. Red shiners were the second most frequently taken fish. Other species, such as golden shiners, mosquitofish, bluegill, and longear sunfish were taken less frequently. No bass, catfish or crappie were taken in any of the seining collections. --- Page 8 --- %10°O wey ssazT Jo ,,00872,, SOWSOTPUT xx sotoods ystz ySnor saqeotpur x ‘f £7°6 69° 18T yy" Ce Tee ysta euep €1°06 98° LLL *T 95°99 699 ystd ysnoy 00°00T Go°6S6°T 00°00T 066 S[PIOL Z9°0 o2 C1 19°0 9 yUNIp Je eMysory 19°C v1 TS 1¢2°OT TOT atddez> saTUM €0°0O GS*0 19°0 9 ystyuns re938u0 7 1L°0 Z6°€1 LL°9 L9 T1TSen Tg 70°0O £8°0 07°0 v7 ystjuns seapey €0°O 99°0 02°0 Z ystjuns user) eT? yL TY G8° 7 8H sseq yjnowes re, 9S °C 08°67 60° 6 06 sseq o7TUM 8T°T 10 °€Z Tet €1 ystTy eo [Touueug Z0°O 6€°0 02 °0 Z yieutys ueptoy CCE co*e9 eS 1 GI xdie) CEES él Ls7 €0°2Z 81Z ydeyonsdies TaATY GS * 9S 16°890°T O07 O€ TOE xOTPFING YINowyT[eUsS O8*T 80°SE 88°83 88 xpeUs prezZzzTty %%00°O €0°0O O.L*O I ~peys UTJpeoeryy, g¢9°9 67° OCT CL? 1Z yie3 asousuo'] €7°0 1S¢°8 09°0 9 xie@8 pa ods IT°0O 90°C OT*O I y%ieB asouqz0Us yqSTSemM FO (spunog) Tequny [eT ~“Tequny ‘SoToedS quaoieg VYy8tom TeI0], JO JUSe.IEg TeIO], 6961 - Si[Nsey BSuTIION aye] uUTejuNoW e1sey¥ € e1deL --- Page 9 --- Bs setoeds ysty y8nodl saleotpuy % Z8°0C 02°82 L9°9V 16 ystq owe 81°62 VE" LOL Cees 4OT ystd ysnoy 00°O0T 8S °SET 00°O0T Col ST e201, TL‘O 9T°O COZ b 3UNIp Jaenysary 65 °9 76°8 vee? 69 atddeizo aqtyM VEO L£9°0 6G°¢ l TITT8an1g 81°0 07°0O IS‘Q I yqnoureM Ove T9°% vot c sseq yInowssaey £Z°0 LE°O IS °O T ystyqeo peauiwely TO°€ Ge"y 09° 6 PpeayTINq moTTaAA £10 €2°0 1S°0 1 PPOUTTNG YoeTd 99 °9 €0°6 GO°z 9 ystjyqeo Tauueu9 48°62 97° OV Z8°ZE 79 xd re) 99°S L9O°L HOT € y~deyonsdies JaATY Gs. bt €6°6 80°€ 9 xOT BZ ING Yow, Tews 98° 9T 08°27 ol’? 8 xOTeJING YyInowstg 08° 1o°9 79O°S IT xpeBUS PIezZZTO 80°OT 99° ET 9C°Z GC ie3 assousucy €8°O él’ tT 1S‘0 1 xde3 paqjods B9°€E 66°97 €O°T Z yie3 osouqz10uS WqSTaM JO (spunog) AaqunN TeIOL raquny, ‘SatToed¢ quaoseg JUZTAIM TeIOL JO JUsa.I0g yeI0L 6961 = SATNsey BUTIZON pesyMoasay syey % ®1qeL --- Page 10 --- = 8 «= In the September collections freshwater shrimp (Palaemonetes) were taken at two stations on the east side of the lake. From 50 to 75 shrimp were taken in each haul. Vegetation: In general, aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this very turbid lake. But some algae was seen along the east side of the lake. Lake Granbury Gill Netting: Only three quarterly checks were made on this newly built lake in Hood County. The dam was completed in the summer of 1969, and the flood gates were closed in September, 1969. The first check was made in May, the second one in August, and the third one in November. The first quarterly check was not made since there was not enough water in the lake. Shortly after the gates were closed, however, heavy rains on the watershed filled it rapidly. In all, 25 experimental gill nets were set in the lake. All told, 385 fish of 17 species were taken. Rough fish species (spotted and longnose gar, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, carp, golden shiners, and freshwater drum) comprised 77.41 percent of the total number and 91.59 percent of the total weight of all fish taken (see Table 5). Longnose gar, smailmouth buffalo, gizzard shad, and river carpsucker, in that order, were the most frequently taken rough fish species. Channel catfish and white crappie comprised nearly 15 percent of the total number of fish taken in the netting collections. Seining Collections: Blacktail and red shiners were the most frequently taken fish in the seining collections. Brook silversides were also common. A few gizzard shad and mosquitofish were also taken. No game fish species were taken in the seining collections. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake at this time. Hubbard Creek Lake Gill Netting: Game fish species (channel and blue catfish, black builhead, yellow bulihead, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, warmouth, green sunfish, redear sunfish, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, longear sunfish and white crappie) comprised more than 51 percent of the total number of fish taken in the netting collections, but only 30.52 percent of the total weight (Table 6). Bluegill, white crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish, in that order, were the most fre- quently taken game fish species in this Stephens County lake. The average weight of the Largemouth bass was nearly two pounds, and the average weight of the white crappie was slightly more than one-half pound. The largest bass weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces; several more of them weighed in excess of 5 pounds. Hubbard Creek con- sistently produced large numbers of big bass during the late winter, spring, and summer of 1969. For that reason this lake is considered by many anglers to be one of the best bass lakes in the state. Also, it has a sizable catfish population, both channel and blue catfish. The smallest blue catfish weighed 260 grams (9 ounces), and the largest one weighed 12 pounds, 4 ounces. --- Page 11 --- T?7°8 66°16 00 °COT 6€°0 O€°G TO°O ST°6 T0°O Se*a 87°O LG°Q 80°0 94°9 70°O To°8 99°8 00°e? T6°S 00°SZ 80°0 qystem Fo quedteg 09°79 78° TOL ye" 99L 66°C Le“? £0°0 Gi O1*O TL°? OL Ee 17-7 6S °0 0S ° 67 L£é°O eZ °S9 vE°99 L£G°62E 9e°S7 T9° ToT 8S°0 (spunog) — WYysTemM Teo] 6961 - S4[Nsey SuTqqJeN Aanqueszy aye] 65°27 Tees 00°COT 99° 7 £e°9 9Z°0 79°E 97°6 OE °T C87 LL°0 9Z°0 G0°8 cS °0 ZL°S LL°€T 00°0z@ T38°49t TS 02 2S °O Tequny [e267], Jo Jueorrag G eTqPL eel sp oed wt oo am mW 23aqunn TRIO], ystq owe) ystd ysnoy e}eI0L yUNIp rq7emyseay atddexzo a3TYyM ystjuns se3su0 7] Tirsantg ustjuns usar) sseq yRNoWSssrey sseq 91 TUM ystyyeo peoyzeys peoyuTiTeq yoetd ysty ze Touuey) ydeuTtys uaptoyd xdrey yxdeyonsdieo TaATY xOTeFING YINowyTeus xpeyus parezZzty y~ie3 assousuoy xile8 pajzqods sotoeds --- Page 12 --- 10 cS OE 87°69 00 °O0T 06°0 Go°v 10°0 %*%00 °O Il‘T 10°O %%00 °O 10°0 66°€E1 OEE GT‘O 20-0 781 G8°s 10°0 98°07 99°S TSE oT‘ l GO*L ce 9 TYSTOM FO quooreg T6°O09L 8ST TEL ‘T 60°7267°Z G7"? 66°SOT 02°0 60°0 LL £¢ 81°0 80°0 LE*O OL*87E 91°78 LL°€ 97°0 vE°GY 98°S¥7T 97°0 €L° ots 96°01 cE SEB 18°82 6L°SLT 98°L SS Ss punog ) VYyZTOM [2IOL 60° TS 16°89 00 °O0OT Z6°0 ce? it c1°O $0°0 So" 61 90°0 $0°0 éL'O 7L OL 76°0 £9°O zc1°O LE"O 8L°9 clo 79° CT O8°S Te “et e7- eT €9°S 90°0 Zoaqunn TeqO], Jo 4usoIAEg %10°Q UPYI SSOT JO ,,9081},, SOPEOTPUL xy sotoods yusty ysnoar sa .edTpuy % LE8 108 89° SI L£8T tit L0Z C6 STZ O02 ev ‘equnn TeqoL 6961 - Sa1Msey BUTIIEN YeorQ pszeqqnH eye] 9 e19FL ystq ouey ystd ysnoy STBIOL yuUnIp Taqemyserg atddeis o3TUM ystyuns reaesuo0] ystjuns Jsesiqpey T1t8en Ta ystjyuns zeapey ystguns user yAnouzeM sseq yRNoWs8re7 ystgqeo peoyzeya PesuTing MOTTEA pesylinq 4oeld ystyqeo ond ysty eo Tauuey) xIeuTYys UuapToy wdieg ydeayonsdied TeATy. yOTeJjnq YANowT,TLeuUs ypeUus prezztyg yie3 asousuoy yie8 peqjods Soatoods --- Page 13 --- = ll = Gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, and carp, in that order, were the most fre- quently taken rough fish species. Smallmouth buffalo alone comprised 33.52 percent of the weight of all fish taken in the netting collections, and carp accounted for 20.86 percent of the total weight. Seining Collections: Several seining collections were made in conjunction with the netting trips. Blacktail shiners were the most frequently taken fish. Red shiners, one river carpsucker, and 13 white crappie fry were also taken. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake at this time. (Fish Creek Reservoir) Gill Netting: Twenty netting collections were made on this Cooke County lake in 1969. Game fish species were dominant both in numbers and in weight (Table 7). However, black bullheads, which were classified as "game fish", accounted for 30.96 percent of the total number and 10.59 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. Good numbers of channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white crappie were taken in the netting collections. The average weight of the channel catfish was more than four pounds; the largest one weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces. The average weight of the bass was nearly 1 pound; the largest one weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces. White crappie also averaged nearly 1 pound in weight, and the largest one weighed 1 pound, 7 ounces. Gizzard shad, and river carpsucker were the most frequently taken rough fish species. Together, they comprised more than 10 percent of all fish taken in the collections. Seining Collections: Brook silversides, red shiners, and biue gills were the most frequently taken fish in the seining collections. In addition, a few golden shiners, and blackstripe topminnows were also taken. One specimen of largemouth bass (4 inches in length) was taken in the November collections as well as one yellow bullhead and one mosquitofish. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not yet a problem in this relatively new lake. Some pondweed was seen in the shallow water along the shoreline, however. Lake Amon G. Carter Gill Netting: Game fish species (channel catfish, largemouth bass, warmouth, bluegill, Longear sunfish, and white crappie) comprised 97.44 percent of the total number and 81.14 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections (Table 8). White crappie were the most frequently taken fish; 129 specimens were taken during the year. However, their average weight was less than 2 ounces. Only 6 channel catfish and 3 largemouth bass were taken in the 20 netting collections made on this Montague County lake. Only 4 rough fish, 1 carp and 3 golden shiners, were taken during the year. By far, this seems to be the least productive lake in Region 2-A. --- Page 14 --- 12 = 69°89 TE* Te 00 °OOT 6e "1 HEL Le°0 en l £6°0 79°0 se" 21 WBE 6S “OT €L'SZ 68°0 02°8 9° HT Ec°S 70°0O oe *T TYysteM FO quaodieg TE ETS €z°L6 LS°OTE Oe°” 08°22 91° T LO°€Z% ZO°E L6°T 97° 8E c6°TT 88° ZE 90°82 OLS 947 °SS 60°77 92° OT €1"0 S0°*% (spunog) IYSTOM [BIOL 6961 - SITNSey SUTIION eye] sson S7°98 GS*eT 0G‘ O0T vE*O LT°% GL 1 60°27? 8L°% COL 96°OT OL°8 96°O€ €8°€ Lo°t £8°0O 87°E 8L°9 LT°O ve°O Zequny Teo, Jo Juae.Jeg L eTqeL satoads usty Lou BL GLS A %C Of Ll 91 L £9 OS SLT CC 6 G 0% 6€ T C Toquny Teqo], yBnor sa PoTpUL x ~~ ysta owe) usta ysnoy sTeqoL yunap teq,emyseig atddeis aqTUuM ystjyuns 1ea8u0T T1TSenig ystyuns useay yqnouzeM sseq yINowesize 7 PRPOUTING MOTTA Peouting 4oeld ystz eo TauueYD xA3UTYS UapToy xdiey gdeyonsdieo AaATY xpeus prezZZzTy 2ePpeys utypeossay], xdie3 asousuoy ‘Sotoods --- Page 15 --- 13 = sotoads ysty ysnor soleotpur x 71°18 88° 8z 47° L6 ST ystq owe) 98°8T 1Z£°9 9S°2 7] ysta ysnoy 00°O0T 6G °GE 00°OOT 9S1 ST PIO, LO°VE ETL 01°28 6771 atddeazo aaTYyM 79°0 €72°0 Z6°1 € ystjuns reesuo0y 82 °Z 18°0 T7°9 oni T1E8en Td 1S ‘°O 8i°O 79°0 T YINowIeM 61’ TE OT’ TT Z6°T € sseq Y Noss Ie 7 cs'tt é2° 7 GB'eg 9 ystgqeo youuey) 61°? 8ZL°0 76°71 € yadeuTtyus uspytod L9°9T €6°S 79°0O T edre9 qysTeM JO (spunod) Zoquny 7eIOL TSqunan queoseg VYUSTOM TBIOL jo quaor9g TeI0L 696T - Sai[nsey BUTIION JeqIeD *D) uoWYy sxe] 8 eTqeL, --- Page 16 --- = 14 + Seining Collections: Brook silversides, red shiners, fathead minnows, black- tail shiners, and bluegill were commonly taken in the collections. A few logperch., and white crappie were also taken. The crappie ranged from 2- to 4-inches in length. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake. No submerged vegetation was seen, however, we estimate that there are approximately 100 acres of cattails along the shoreline. Ne doubt the high turbidity prevents the devel- opment of submerged vegetation. This is probably the reason for the low fertility of the lake. Lake Arlington Gill Netting: River carpsucker ranked first both in percent of total weight and percent of total number of ail fish taken in this Tarrant County lake. Game fish species (channel catfish, yellow bulihead, flathead catfish, warmouth, large- mouth bass, white bass, green sunfish, redear sunfish, bluegill, and white crappie) comprised 57.95 percent of the total number of fish taken in the collections, but only 22.96 percent of the total weight (Table 9). Channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie were taken in good numbers, and they were in relatively good shape. Aside from the river carpsucker, no other rough fish species appears to be a problem. No smallmouth buffalo were taken in any of the netting collections. Seining Collections: Brook silversides, blacktail shiners, fathead minnows, red shiners, and bluegill were the most frequentiy taken fish in the seining col- lections. In addition, a few threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and river carpsucker were taken. No bass, catfish, or crappie were taken. Vegetation: Generally, aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake. Several patches of pondweeds and a few cattails were seen, however. Gill Netting: White crappie were the most frequently taken fish in this Palo Pinto County lake. In all, 204 white crappie were taken, and they comprised 42.24 percent of the total number of fish taken in the netting collections (Table 10). The largest crappie weighed in excess of 2 pounds, and the smallest one weighed less than 1 ounce. Channel catfish and largemouth bass were taken in good numbers. Together, they comprised more than 10 percent of the total number and more than 11 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. The largest catfish weighed more than 5% pounds, and the largest bass weighed more than 5 pounds. Smallmouth buffale, gizzard shad, carp, and river carpsucker, in that order, were the most frequently taken rough fish species. Together, they comprised more than 33 percent of all fish taken in the netting collections during the year. Seining Collections: Gizzard shad and red shiners were the most frequently taken fish in the seining collections. Smallmouth buffalo, fathead minnows, blacktail shiners, and mosquitofish were taken less frequently. One largemouth bass, 5 inches in length, and one logperch, 8 inches in length, were also taken in the October, 1969, collections. --- Page 17 --- wy 96° Ce yO'LL 00 *O0T 19° 6L°T L1°0 60°0 TL*0O 00°S 9€°S 87°? €0°0O CEE 61°0 €7°ST 69°09 67°0 72°O FysTeM FO queoteg OL*S6T G9°9G9 Ge °?S8 O€ * 6E Ge°ST ey T SL‘0 96°0 79° CR cL °S% 911? 97°0 66°82 99°T yo’ Tel LO°L1S cl" €0°? (spunod) 2USTOM [BIOL 6961 - S2[Nsey BSUTIION UORSsUT TAY eye] G6°LS GO°CY 00° Q0T 60° TT OL 6T 9T'T 99°0 99°0 ZZ OT 87°8 99°O L£i°0 OES 66°T ets L6°87@ GT°€ T8°2 ZFoqunN Teo jo qyus.IEg 6 eTqeL OSE 9G¢ Zi Te GLT 61 LI Tequny TeIOL satoods ysty ySnod saqeotpul x» ysta ue) ysta ysnoy ST #IO], atddeas 22TUM T1T8en 1a ystyuns 1eepesy ystyuns waed) yinowzeM sseq YNowss1e 7] sseq ea TUM ystyqeo prayieta PesyuLTNqd MOTTSA ysty eo Tauuey9 2A9UTYS UaplOD gdaeg yaiayonsdies AsATY ~peys preZzzto xpeys uTypeosyL S$3T 3d o ¢p) --- Page 18 --- NG) wi sotsaeds ys 90° 7E OT €9T €G°9G €LZ 76°99 €6°STE LY-ey OTZ 00°O0T 60° 624 00°O0T Cer Ge°1 z0°9 cL € BI T?°4v1 90°89 70° C2 702 10°0O L0°O 1Z°O T y1'O 99°0 98°T 6 z0‘0 TiO TZ°O T 97°S 91°92 9G°% (ae 80°8 OL °8E OT 7) €1‘0 29°0 1Z°O 1 10°9 8L°8Z 06°9 62 72° OT 76°87 08°S 8Z £2°9 cO'O€ Vaan) 02 la Ze O€ ST ST°9T gL Ge°1 66°S 99°L LE 02°0 £6°0 87 °Z cl HG ° YT 99°69 oS*E LT JqSTSN TO (spunoay TSquN THIOL Faquey quaoreg VYUSTEM TeI0I, JO JUSa0Teg peqoy 6961 = Si[Nsey SUTIION OUT O[eg aye] OT PTdFL + YyBnNod sa eoTput % ystd swe usta ysnoy sTeqGL xURIp Taqyemuseig atddexzs a1TyM ystyuns 2e93u07T TL Tsan tg ystyuns user sseq Yyinowas8izey ysTy eo pesuieTd PPSUTTAGC MOTTA ystyqed. jauuey) xd rey ydeyonsdies TaATY xOTPFFNG YINOUTTeUS ~PBUS prezzZzTty 2»PpPYSs UTFpesAy], x%ie3 asousu0y Satoads --- Page 19 --- 17 - Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake at this time. Several scattered patches of pondweeds were noted aiong the northern and southern shorelines. Also, a few cattails were seen along the shoreline, but they are not of any importance at this time. Lake Worth Gill Netting: White crappie and white bass, in that order, were the most frequently taken fish in this Tarrant County lake. Together, they comprised more than 40 percent of all fish taken in the netting collections (Table 11). Overall, game fish species comprised 57.07 percent of the total number, but only 13.68 per~- cent of the total weight of all fish taken in the coliections., Smallmouth buffalo alone comprised 42.21 percent of the total weight of all fish, and longnose gar comprised 23.98 percent. Other rough fish species included spotted gar, gizzard shad, river carpsucker, spotted sucker, and carp. Seining Collections; Brook silversides were the most abundant fish taken in the seining collections. Threadfin shad, fathead minnows, red shiners, blacktail shiners, bluegill, and longear sunfish were taken frequently in the collections. Several small largemouth bass, from 3- to 6~inches, were also taken as well as several logperch. The bass no doubt represented successful reproduction. Vegetation; Aquatic vegetation is becoming a problem in this relatively shallow lake. Cattails are very abundant along the shoreline. Several small patches of pondweeds were also seen. Lake Kickapoo Gill Netting: River carpsucker ranked first in percent of total number (24.87), and smallmouth buffalo ranked first in percent of total weight (30.01) of all fish taken in this Archer County lake. Overail, however, game fish species comprised 50.97 percent of the total number of ali fish taken, but only 38.57 per- cent of the total weight (Table 12). White crappie were the most frequently taken game fish species. Channel catfish, white bass, and largemouth bass, in that order, were the next most frequently taken game fish species. For some reason, this usually turbid lake cleared in the early part of 1969. No specific cause was established, but one theory was that heavy rains on the watershed washed considerable quantities of fertilizer into the lake, which caused an obvious "bioom''. When the nutrients had been consumed, the "bloom" disappeared and the water resumed its muddy (turbid) condition. Seining Collections: Threadfin shad, gizzard shad, brook siiversides, red shiners, fathead minnows, redbreast sunfish, and bluegiil were commonly taken in the seining collections. Several small largemouth bass were also taken in the collections. The bass ranged from 2= to 5-inches in length, No catfish or crappie were taken in the seining collections. --- Page 20 --- setoeds usty YyBncdl sa.eoTpuyl xy 89° ET 09° 701 LO°LS 8SZ ystg swe) to °98 €0°099 €6°C% 761 ystd ysnoy 00 °QOT €9°79L 00°00T (45) STeq0L 61°S 99° 6 99°72 TIL atddezo 3|1TuM TTT 1S°8 62°6 7 L1t8enT¢ £0°O 97°O 77° 0 Zz ystjuns iespay ZOO Z1°O 72 °O } yetjuns waery £6°0 Cy L 7G°¢ 91 sseq yJNowssse7y CE? 9G°LT TL°ST wa sseq a1TUM OL°O LE'G 7é°0 1 ysty 29 peay.elw S0°0 9€°O 2Z°0 i peasutynq yoeTg Tere E°GT L8°% €T ysty}eo jsuweys 98° TT 14°06 86°€ 8T edie) 68°0 08°9 £E°T 9 yieayons paqjzods ELS 61° 6€ O1'€ 71 ydeayonsdzes TaATY 12°C VL OSE 6€ ZT 9¢ xOTeJING YINowyT 7] eug 99°T OL °7T 17°8 gE ~peUus parezzty 86° ES VE EST €8°ZT QC yaes essousu0y 6S °0 GG°Y 68°0 4 yie8 paqjzods Jystem jo ~ (spunog) ‘Tequny TOL Taquny sotoedg quaoreg JUSTOM TeIO] Jo JuselI0g yeqoL 6961 = Sa[Nsey SuTIJeN YIA0M aye] Tl 9T9deL --- Page 21 --- LG°8E €7° 19 00°O0T T°? 9L°ET 700 97°0 10°0 6S °L Oe *8 80°%7 cG° 7 Z0°O 82 °9 LT 10°O0€ Lye 6L°0 76° T 07°? 92°0 ‘4qsToM FO quaoreg LZ°O8Z £E ONY 09°9¢L 96 °ST 86°66 8T°O G81 O10 91°SS O€ °09 L9°67 cO°Eee L1°O0 C9 °S% 86°ZOT 90°812 €0°S?S ELS 26° ET Ov LT L871 L6°0S £0°67 00° 00T £O°T L8°1? €S°0 GEE 81°00 OL°9 fo £ 6S "1 cS "6 81°0 eG"€ L8°%C yO° TT OL°O L£LY°S Ge"O 88°0 81°0 ort (spunog) — WYZTIM [eIOL 6961 - S3[Nsey BuUTIIEN CodeyoTy syeT Taquny {eIOL Jo Jus0seg ZI eTqeL oads y 6872 BLE L9G aAOHrANM SMH ro eo ON vis 0¢ Tvt Oy oMNN — Tequny TeqOL od Ui G ysnodi sa yeotpuy va X ystqy awed ystd ysoog STRIOL snip Jayemysoig atddeao |1TYUM ystyuns iessuoy Litsentg ystyuns uses) sseq yinowsasrzey sseq o1TUM ysty7eo peoyie lad ystgieo Touuey) yxiautys waployd ydre) yadeayonsdies JIATY 2OTbFjNG YWHowyT Teus xOTeIFNG yWNoustTg “peyus prezzty yies asouSuoy xae3 paqjods ~ie3 esouqr0Ys ‘Ssotoeds --- Page 22 --- ='20 = Vegetation: A few cattails and some pondweeds were noted in the still, back- water areas of the lake. Normally, the turbid water prevents the development of submerged vegetation. Hords Creek Reservoir Gill Netting: Gizzard shad, white crappie, and bluegill, in that order, were the most frequently taken species cf fish from this Coleman County lake. Four species of fish were classified as "rough"; gizzard shad, river carpsucker, carp, and golden shiners. Together, they comprised 47.80 percent of the total number, and 61.93 percent of the total weight of all fish taken. Carp and river carpsucker alone accounted for more than 55 percent of the total weight of all fish taken during the year (Table 13). White crappie and bluegill were the most abundant game fish species in the collections. - The average weight of the crappie was 3% ounces. It appears that the crappie population is definitely stunted. This condition might correct itself in a few years. 12 it does not, this would be a good lake on which to apply some crappie reduction techniques. Seining Collections: Several small (3-inch) largemouth bass were taken in the seining collections. Apparently these fish represent natural reproduction. Black-~ tail shiners, mosquitofish, logperch, redear sunfish, and bluegill were also taken in the seining collections. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake. Several patches of pondweeds were noted, but it is not considered to be a problem at this time. Coleman City Lake Gill Netting: Rough fish species (longnose gar, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, carp, and freshwater drum) were dominant in the net- ting collections made on this Coleman County lake. Altogether, they comprised 55.85 percent of the total number and 52.10 percent of the total weight (Table 14). Smallmouth buffalo, gizzard shad, and river carpsucker, in that order, were the most abundant rough fish species taken. Bluegill, channel catfish, white crappie, and largemouth bass, in that order, were the most frequently taken game fish species. The channel catfish, the large= mouth bass, and the white crappie appeared to be in relatively good shape. Seining Collections: Blacktail shiners were the most abundant fish in the seining collections. Red shiners, bluegill, and logperch were alse taken in lesser numbers. Oniy one largemouth bass was taken in the collections. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this lake at this time. This'is due in part to the fact that this is a relatively new lakes it was built in 1966. --- Page 23 --- 21 - LO‘°8E €6° 19 00‘O00T €Z'S T0"0O OL*?% L£1°0 Z0°0O 470°0O 99°S L9°07¢ L1°9 €e°0 8° 8E 86°9T 08'S JYSTOM JO Jusdteg 02° 7EC TL OE 76° 88S 6L°O€ 80°0O GSe°?1 ZO°T rama) €2°0 GE°EE PL TCT oS 72 G6°T 19°82 Z0°OOT YI VE (spunog) WYySTaM [BIOL 07° 2S O8*Ly 00°O0T G6°SZ 71°O Le‘ot Z9 1 ST°0 O€*0 Ho°E TS°Z c6°T 87° T 9e° TT 69°€ Lé°1e Toqunyy Te@IOL Jo JUsd.Ieg 6961 - SA[Nsey BUTIION ATOAAaSey YeeID sp4o0H El e14PL satoods YSE YE 8L9 OLT T Til TT T C CC LI €1 OT LL Ge t12 TOquUaN yeqo], ysty ySnor saqyeotTpul x ystq ourep ystd ys8nog sTeqOL, atddez> 93T4M ystjuns Jseaiqpoy T1T3enTg ystjuns reapey ystjuns userp yA NouzemM sseq yInowesse] ystgzeo peo ysty eo yTeuuey) ydeutys ueplo9) ydire9g wdeyonsdies IaATY xpeys prezzt9 SaTtoeds --- Page 24 --- 22 = satoeds ysty y8nor saqeotpuy % 06°LY €8° 702 GT’ 77 GTZ ysta sue) OZ 6S °07@Z G8°GS ols ystd ysnog 00 °O0T ov ESY 00°O0T L89 S{[PIOL L9°G GT°€? G8 T 6 xURIp Tazyenysearg CS°S 69° OT oss BE atddezs a3TUM 70°O 1Z2°0 29°0 e ystjuns aeasuoyT 06°T 708 LT ° 1 69 Tifsentg t0°O L0°0 0Z°O I ystjuns aespey VEO 77° 1 L9°% €1 ustTjuns usar 6€° ST S8°LZL 8L°9 €€ sseq YNnowasue7 97° TT LO°LY G8°T 6 ystyqeo pesyuizelTd OT‘ 77°0 0Z‘°0 T pesyling yell” €e"el 77° 9G 98°6 84 ystyqeo [auuey) 80°8 1S °7E 8L°9 cE died ZV’ 6L €2°C8 07°68 GH zdiayonsdies JaatTy 68° 7T 70°E9 00° Ez? ZUT Zo7eIJng YyRnowTTeus c9°E VEST BL° aT ZL x%~PBYUS PIeZzZTY 29°0 69°C 02°0 1 yie3 asousuoy 3q3TemM Fo “~€spunog ‘rsqunyy Te CL ‘aquny, quedreg 1y3TeamM TeICL jo jUus0Jeg [eIOL 6961 - Si{[Nsoy ButIIeN syeT ATID uewayo) Yl eTdeL --- Page 25 --- @ 236 Lake Weatherford Gill Netting: Channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white crappie comprised 37.00 percent of all fish taken in the netting collections made on this Parker County lake. Collectively, the game fish species comprised 52.29 percent of all fish taken, but only 30.26 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections (Table 15). Rough fish species (gizzard shad, river carpsucker, and carp) comprised 47.71 percent of the total number and 69.74 percent of the total weight of all fish taken in the nets. Carp and river carpsucker, in that order, were the most frequently taken rough fish species. The city of Weatherford, owner of the lake, had a contract netter working on the lake during 1969. He was trying to remove as many rough fish as possibile. But no record of his catch is available. Seining Collections: Blacktail shiners and red shiners were the most fre- quently taken species in the seining collections. In addition, gizzard shad, golden shiners, fathead minnows, bluegills, and largemouth bass were taken in the collections. The bass ranged from 1l- to 3-inches in length, and represented successful reproduction. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation, both emerged and submerged, is a real problem in this lake. Pondweeds are the most abundant plants along with musk grass, cat~- tails, and bulrushes. Also, a number of acres in the west end are covered with American lotus. A number of private citizens who own property around the lake have taken steps to control the vegetation in front of their places. Only manual controls have been used up to this time, but its success has been very limited. Gill Netting: Rough fish species (spotted and longnose gar, gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, gray redhorse, carp, and freshwater drum) comprised 65.41 percent of the total number, and 87.01 percent of the total weight of ali fish taken in the netting collections (Table 16). Gizzard shad, small- mouth buffalo, and river carpsucker, in that order, were the most frequently taken rough fish species. Collectively, they comprised haif of the total number of fish taken in the netting collections. Smallmouth buffalo accounted for 46.84 percent: of the total weight of ali fish taken. White crappie were the most frequentiy taken game fish species (10.77 percent by number). The crappie do not seem to be stunted. The largest one weighed 1 pound, 9 ounces; the average weight was nearly 4 pound. in addition to the crappie, a good number of white bass and channel catfish were taken. Seining Collections: Brook silversides were the most frequently taken fish in the seining collections. As many as 250 specimens were taken in a seining collection. Gizzard shad were also taken in large numbers. Several smail large- mouth bass and white bass were taken, which indicates successful reproduction. --- Page 26 --- 24 « 97° OE 7L° 69 00° O0T ITZ c0°O T6°0 Z0°0 valued) 6S °€T LE°O €Z°O c0°0O Gerl 88°9E 96° TE 06°0 TYSTaM FO queorteg 88° CLT €S *86E TH tls 69°0% €1°O 61°S 60°0 Z8°0 pO°Ll el? 8l°v I1T°0 86° TY GL‘OT? 9° 781 91°S ~~ Cspunog) ~ WYySTomM TeI0L 6961 =~ SI[Nsoy BUTIION pAOFAayReaM ayeqT 67° %S TL°L9 00°OOT £9°0¢ TS°0 9L°ST SZ°O cO°T 47° 6 GZ°0 GZ°0 GZ°O 68°9 96°72? 6€ “61 9E°S Toquny TeIOL Jo quaoteg ST 9T9PL satoeds ysty ysnoxr saqeoTpuy x G02 Z81 OE 18 c OS T u LE I T T LZ 06 OL 4 raqunyy Te21 0], ysty suey ysty ysnoy STPIOL atdderz> aqTuM ystyuns 4seoiqpey T1tsentg ystTyuns seapey ystyuns user sseq YjNowesiey sseq 93TUM ysty7eo peroujzeys PRPOUTTING MOTTOA ystTyqeo Tauueyy y¥die) xdayonsdies AsATY “~peUSs parezZzTy Satoodg --- Page 27 --- 25 = 66°CT TO°L8 00°OO0T T3°0 LY°C T0°0O cL°0 70°O TO°0O LErT aimee) OS *Z 70°C T2427 00°6 8e°O 86°41 98°9V Tz Ll 9n°L €T°O WusTeM JO quadteg LE°9ET L9°78S‘T y0°6T8°T 78°71 93°77 TL‘O OZ EL 89°0 %72°O G6°7S 02°? cG°SY LO°LE WG°L9 TL°€9T1 6 °9 WY CLS 00°2S8 cL VET 89°SET 9€°S ~~Cspunog) 2YySToM TeIOL 6961 - S[Nsey SuTIIO1] AOUITYM OxPT 65°47 T?7°S 00°OO0T L0°?C L£L°0 O1*O 8E°8 ~CE°O 62 "0 96°T 20 9T°8 7S°0 26°€ y7°S 9L°0 Of °? 9L°9 cel €Go°9 Ze°0 fequny}y Te 207, Jo queozed € 9 T T T ‘4 BTe 109 616 61 66 1 LL € c 81 é GL S 9€ os L €TT yST 96T 09 iTaquny, TeIOL satoads ysty ysnor sazeoTpul % ystq awed ystg ysnoy S{TPIOL yuNnIp TazeMYyselg atddeid o3TY4M ystjuns seaiqpey T1F8en Ta ystjuns respey ystyuns uselr9 sseq yNowsesie 7] sseq pez ods sseq 93TUM ystyzeo pesyieya ystjy eo [Teuuey) xdieg yosioypea Aeay ydeyonsdies ISATY OT esgng YyynouyTTeus ~PePUS PIeZZTO xiles assou8u0T xiles peqqods Sotoadg --- Page 28 --- Aquatic fluctuate for tation: Level respons The water sxobably ible or AS: I On the bas bass (LIMB) and c our ramnel ca Lake Grahar cation much as conirol, vere adoas the fal fe) Findings, th fish (CC). Wort Nas le Mountain Sen orool: waesaehienio Mila Whatavey BVOVRATOOU ALI of the Fish were sunnlied by Lowisville, and Possma Kinedor. igh A meeting proposed regulations. First, mit the use of a wire Loo Public hearines were June, 1959. The proposed Coumies ior. awa <2 © Discussion and Recommenuda Fish snecies Gane f ~ 2G + is not a problem in this lake at this tine. 9 ¥eet duxing the year. This condition is of the veretaiion. tocking Records e followine lakes were stocked with Larsvemouth The total number of fish is also siven. amber Ch 16,€CC 200, 066 3CO, CCC 98 OCO O45 Bt , CEC G, C00 C006 axevest 4 of all concerned Game Management Possum Kingdom Regulatory Authority Area was held in Mineral Wells to discu Three changes in the fishing regulations were proposed. ®). taken in 9 Lakes which were checked during the year. webieht, were dominant iu Ton Lakes Worth, Ma, xouch fish species como t taken im the nets. Some nese lakes. Aduatiea vevetation “3a “loss of erimwe Lishi “lo control 13 of the Lh Mountain, sed more th consideratio Wor is WALKS . wee lakes ch Garnarhittle Klm, Granbury, an GO should nere n ¢ be should acked ent be dona durins oF a2iven. cal on Officers rhe to Lake Weather ford losulaiions LO Number yy 16, ain Jia and Biologists to put a daily bag and possession limit on walleye (5 fish); second, put a daily bag and possession limit on striped bass (1 fish); and third, 1909, total we population and Whithey «t ait ACC, ~~ =e ees -()- wes fy CC Cn erie CCO ele Mountain, in fia aa SS Vala to to per- dp or sic for taking roush fish. attended in 3C counties im the Possum Kinedom Arosa io eesulations were adopted by the Parks and Wildlife tions comprised 50 percent or more of the total number of fish But roush tish species, by of all tis control LO pReaAVvoni --- Page 29 --- 27 This job should be centinued, checking the lakes which were checked in 1968, so that current information on the status of the fish population will be known. These data will be useful in managing the fishery resources of this area. Acknowledgements: Grateful appreciation is expressed to the game management officers of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department who assisted us in making the quarterly netting checks. Special thanks are due to Officers Michael Morris, Bill Evans, Jim McCash, and Murrell Hopkins. Without their heip, this job would have been much more dif- ficult. Prepared by: Charles T. Menn Project Leader \ Approved 1» Lifaseere Lele Coordinator CE RECHARD L. WHLTE Date: June 2, 1970 — tnland Fisheries Supervisor