TPWD 1972 F-3-R-19 #1449: Region III-B Fisheries Studies: Job No. 15, Fisheries Management Recommendations, Federal Aid Project No. F-3-R-19

--- Page 1 --- 2 23-N JOB PROGRESS REPORT As Required By FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-3-R-19 REGION III-B FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. 15: Fisheries Management Recommendations Project Leader: Joe E. Toole Assistant Project Leader: Danny Bodeker James U. Cross Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Fred G. Lowman Roy T. Huffman Branch Head, Wildlife Restoration Director, Current Operations April 17, 1972 --- Page 2 --- ABSTRACT A preliminary meeting was held in Palestine on March 25, 1971, between Parks and Wildlife Biologists, Game Management Officers and Supervisory personnel for the discussion of proposed regulation changes in the regulatory authority areas. Inland Fisheries, Region III-B, includes counties in three regulatory areas. North- east Texas Area, Southeast Texas Area, and the Trinity-Brazos Area. Several changes were made in the Statewide fisheries regulations applicable to regulatory authority counties within Region III-B: lis Commercial netting on Sam Rayburn Reservoir is on contract bid basis only. 23 A size limit of 11 inches has been placed on all channel catfish. 3. Snagging fish has been deemed illegal. an All trotlines must bear a legible tag indicating the owner and the date the line was set. Management recommendations derived from the 1970 segment field data include: des Continued contract netting on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. 250 No additional stocking of game fish in Sam Rayburn Reservoir. 3. A fall water draw-down on Dam "B" Reservoir for vegetation control. 4. No additional stocking of game fish in Dam "B" Reservoir. Ds Continued channel catfish stocking program on Lake Murvaul. 6. No commercial netting of any type on Lake Murvaul. he No additional stocking of threadfin shad is recommended. 8. Commercial netting be allowed on Lake Striker on a contract bid basis. O° Additional stocking of game fish is not recommended for Lake Striker 10. No additional stocking of game fish on Toledo Bend Reservoir. sls No additional stocking of game fish on Caddo Lake. 1s Commercial netting be closed on Lake O'the Pines, for protection of flathead catfish and other game species. Sr Chemical control of water hyacinths on Toledo Bend Reservoir and Caddo Lake, where economically feasible. --- Page 3 --- JOB PROGRESS REPORT State Texas Name: Region III-B Fisheries Studies Project No. F-3-R-19 Job No. 15 Title: Fisheries Management Recommendations Period Covered: February 1, 1971, to January 31, 1972. OBJECTIVES: To determine in Region III-B waters, the need for: 1. Changes in fish harvest regulations. 2s Fish Population control. 3. Stocking of game fish species. 4, Noxious vegetation control. 5. Emergency measures needed to correct unpredictable events adversely affecting fish. PROCEDURES : 1. a. Field data from quarterly surveys in Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Murvaul Reservoir, B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir, Lake Striker, Caddo Lake, and Lake O'the Pines were analyzed to formulate needs for fishery regulations. b. Proposed fishery regulations were presented at public hearings in regulatory authority counties within Region III-B. 2 Quarterly surveys were made on each of the above listed reservoirs this segment. Experimental gill nets and bag seines were utilized in making fish collections. Experimental nets used in these collections were 150 feet in length and 8 feet in depth, with square mesh ranging from 1 inch to 3, and 1/2-inch increments every 25 feet. One 16-foot nylon bag seine with 1/4-inch mesh and a 32-foot bag seine with 3/8-inch mesh was used in seining collections. Br Each of the candidate waters in this study contain established game fish pop- ulations. Criteria for making stocking recommendations consist primarily of food availability and degrees of reproduction. Where field sampling indicates little or no reproduction, the normal stocking recommendations will be 100 bass fry or 50 bass fingerlings and 25 channel catfish per acre. Of course in large reservoirs such as Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, this rate cannot be feasibly maintained. 4, ae In conjunction with the surveys, visual observations of aquatic vegetation were made and recorded to determine those areas infested with noxious plants detrimental to fishermen access and usage. b. Control recommendations for such areas of noxious vegetation were made if feasible. --- Page 4 --- -2- FINDINGS: A preliminary meeting was held in Palestine on March 25, 1971, between Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologists, Game Management Officers, and Supervisory personnel for the discussion of proposed regulation changes in the regulatory authority areas, Inland Fisheries Region III-B includes counties in 3 regulatory authority areas; Northeast Texas Area, Southeast Texas Area and the Trinity-Brazos Area. Several changes were made in the Statewide Fisheries regulations applying to most regulatory authority counties. 1. Commercial netting on Sam Rayburn is on contract bid basis only. 2. A size limit of 11 inches has been placed on all channel catfish. 3. Snagging fish has been deemed illegal, 4, All trotlines must have a legible tag placed on the trotline indicating the owner and the date the line was set. Public hearings were attended by project personnel in each regulatory county on May 1-5, 1971. The following resumes and data tables are submitted for field activities on 7 reservoirs included in this study, Table 1 is a check list of the fish species collected from all waters in 1971, Caddo Lake Caddo game fish percentages increased the past segment, but this was primarily due to the large numbers of yellow bass netted as indicated in Table 2, Adequate samples of all game fish species were collected from Caddo this year and fishing is generally fair. Submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation continues to be an acute problem in Caddo Lake. During the summer, many areas become completely inaccessable to fishermen. No additional stocking of game fish is recommended for Caddo Lake, as netting and seining collections reflect adequate reproduction. J. B. Steinhagen Reservoir (Dam "B") Game fish and rough fish percentages were similar as compared with previous segments. Catfish reproduction remains good as adequate numbers were recorded in netting and seining collections, as shown in Table 3. Adequate samples of all other game fish species were collected. Alligator weed and water hyacinths and numerous submerged aquatics are a con- tinuing problem in the reservoir. Due to good water fluctuations and resulting turbidity, submerged vegetation has been subdued during the last 3 segments. The recommendation for the fall draw-down each year on the reservoir is continued. --- Page 5 --- x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x % x x x x x x x ITOALaSay TOYTLIS ITOALASSY [Tneainy soutg oud ITOALESay aye yl pueg opetoy ayeT uinqhey wes ayey_ ,O o4eT nd, wed oppe) JauTYS pooM AauTYs LOTOOUOAT aeuTys woqqrTy ieuTYys usepToy die Jayonsqnyo oye, Zayons paqjjods asioypez Ae19 Jeyonsdies r9ATY oTeygnq YyINowT Tews Tereyotd uteyg9 Teazeyotd sseiy peus prezzt9 peys uTjpeorzyyL uTyMog 3e3 ssouzu0T 1e3 paqjods zes z1037e8TTTy aweN uouO) SBoNsTOSAID snuosTwWaION wnainT T0380 TL6T - St07eM G-III uoT8ey worg paqoeT To] setoeds ystyg T eTqeL 7 28eg uo panutjuog snuexs} ‘*N sneeqsteyo “N snounjy Stdo1rj0N otdzeo snutadd5 eB}}9ONS UOZAUTAY sdouetou euar AUT BUIOS OXOH{ otdies sepotdies snjteqng snqotjolL Testu “¥ snueotisue xosy unuetpedes *q asususjed euosi0g BATeO eTUY snesso “7 snjzeTnoso0 “7 e[Tnjeds sno .sostday aWeN ITJTIUSTos --- Page 6 --- ITOAZISOY pusg opeToy x AsyTAIS oyeTl ITOALOSOY uanghey wes TNeaAInNy oyeyT x soutg 24} 10 24PT ITOATASSYy udas wed x x aye opPped yqnouzem sseq y4nowes1e7 sseq peqjods sseq MOTTOR sseq o3TUM yored ajeitgd SepTSASATTS yoorg ystyoytTnbsoy Mouutudo, odtaqysyoeTg” mouutudol ueptoy ystgqeo peoywwTa PesyTind MOTTEA peeyting Ae ystzieo ented ystyqeo Touuey) MOUUTM peauTTng ZeuTys pues AauTys pey ZeuTYsS [TeIyoeT TY aueN woumo0) snzeptnzoun G e8eg uo penutjuo) Stsopns spuodey septoutes “Ww snisqadolso TW sTsuetddtsstsstw *y sdosAayo snovo0y snuekes sniepopeszydy SN[Noots sey SepTqey stutjje etsnques snjejou *4 snjoskayo snpnpung STICATTO STIOTpoTAg stqTeqeu °T seTou sninT eT snjzeoing °*T snqejound snanTeqot XBTTSTA soTeydeutg snouTmerzs °N STsuezInNt °N snasnuea ‘N aUeN ITFTIWSTIS TpenurTqUoD T 8TIeI, --- Page 7 --- *pearasqo oq Aeul eyeT ay} ut uot yTSodwood satoads 9y} ey} os pequeseid useq sey AdAIns siTqUe sUy, *JUeWZeS SsTYy} BUTANp peJoONpuodD JajeM YOea AOF sz [Nsetr BuT}}eaU TeIO} ay 27e SJAeYO BUTMOTTOF UL tALON x x x x x unap te,enyserg sueTuunas sn zouTpoTdy x azejaep pues ATeos “XPATA e3dsz00uNIy x °4 x yored3o7_ sopoaded eutoiedg x zeqiep upTequnog BloOoT UO; SWOSOSYIT x x x tetTa ‘Snaejdoroeu SsNyoIerqUueD x x x x x x x oetddez> yoeTg snjepTnoeworstu *g x x x x x x x atddez> 33TuM STaepnuue STXoUlog x x x x x ystTjuns 1ea8u07 ST oTeseu “7 x x x ystjyuns iseeiqpey snatane “7 x x ystguns poz odsasuei9 SsTTtwny *7T x x x x x x x ystyuns ontg ‘Snatyoor0ew *T x x x x x x x ystjuns 1eepey snydopoaoTw “T x x x x x ystyuns poqjods njejound “7 x ystjuns wequeg Snoftajeumuks spuodey ITOAISSOY TayTAIS ITOAISSOy Tneainy seutg 34} ITOALESOy aye] ~ aueN WOUMOD aUeN OLFEIUSTOS pueg OpsToL ayety uangdkey weg aye'_ 10 e4eT ud, Wed oppeg :(penutzuoo) [T eTqeL --- Page 8 --- -6- Table 2 Caddo Lake Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent Of Of Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight _ Spotted gar 15 2.41 29.75 6.48 1.98 Bowfin 1 0.16 9.00 1.96 soe Gizzard shad 109 17.50 104.12 22.66 0.95 Chain pickerel 9 1.44 13.62 2.96 1.51 Spotted sucker 50 8,03 88.06 19.17 1.76 Chub sucker 5 0.80 3.30 0.72 0.66 Golden Shiner 3 0.48 1.00 0.22 0.33 Channel catfish* 16 2.57 7.12 1.55 0.44 Black bullhead 4 0.64 8.900 1.74 2.00 Yellow bullhead 5 0.80 7.00 1.52 1.40 White bass* 5 0.80 7.99 1.74 1.59 Yellow bass* 309 49.60 110.88 24.14 0.35 Largemouth bass* 6 0.96 14.06 3.06 2.34 Warmouth* 1 0.16 0.50 Q.11 ---- Redear sunfish* 14 2.25 1.87 0.41 0.13 Bluegill sunfish* 8 1,29 1.31 0.29 0.16 White crappie* 9 1.44 2.94 0.64 0.32 Black crappie* 47 7.55 34.25 7.45 0.72 Drum 7 1.12 14.63 3.18 2.09 Totals 623 100.00 459.40 100.00 Rough Fish 208 33.39 278.48 60.62 Game Fish* 415 66.61 180.92 39.38 --- Page 9 --- =7= Table 3 Dam "B" Reservoir Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent of of Average Spotted gar 26 5.30 94.06 14,94 3.62 Longnose gar 12 2.44 39,19 6.22 3.26 Bowfin 5 1.03 30.69 4,88 6.14 Gizzard shad 93 18.94 40.13 6.38 0.43 Smallmouth buffalo 31 6.31 121.51 19.31 3.92 River carpsucker 6 1.22 10.62 1.69 1.77 Spotted sucker 69 14.05 92.08 14.63 1.33 Carp 3 0.61 12.50 1.99 4,16 Channel Catfish* 50 10.18 37.69 5.99 0.75 Blue catfish* 15 3.05 14.38 2.28 0.96 Flathead catfish* 4 0.81 16.50 262 4.13 Yellow bullhead 6 1.22 5.94 0.94 0.99 Spotted bass* 2 0.41 0.56 0.09 0.28 Largemouth bass* 8 1.63 14.44 2.29 1.81 Warmouth* 5 1.02 1.88 0.30 0.38 Redear Sunfish* 26 5.30 7.50 1.19 0.29 Bluegill Sunfish* 11 2.24 2.25 0.36 0.20 White crappie* 40 8.15 28.44 4.52 0.71 Black crappie* 19 3.87 12.18 1.94 0,64 Drum 60 12.22 46.87 7.44 0.78 Totals 491 100.00 629.41 100.00 Game fish* 180 36.66 136.82 21.58 Rough fish BLL 63.34 493.59 78.42 --- Page 10 --- Seining collections indicated excellent reproduction of most game fish. Based on these data no additional stocking is recommended. It is also recommended that continued commercial netting on Dam ''B" be allowed only under State contract as pres- ent regulations provide. Lake O' the Pines Total percentage of all game fish species from Lake 0’ the Pines data was low, due to a large number of gizzard shad netted, as indicated in Table 4. Netting data collected this segment indicates good representation of largemouth bass, black and white crappie, flathead and channel catfish (See Table 4). The black and white crappie demonstrated excellent growth rates as their average weight was 1.31 and 1.68 pounds respectively. Lake O' the Pines contains a large spotted bass population, even though the net- ting results are low, fisherman success indicates a large population. Threadfin and gizzard shad reproduction was found to be excellent as all age groups were collected. Good reproduction was found in all major game fish with the exception of channel catfish. Reproduction of this species is questionable, but prior stockings in 1967, through 1970, have increased the population significantly. With these data, further stocking of all game fish is not recommended. Lake Murvaul Lake Murvaul remains as one of the top bass lakes in the State. Creel census data indicates that 254 fishermen caught bass weighing in excess of 6 pounds, the largest bass recorded for 1971, was 9 pounds 9 ounces. Reproduction of bass is excellent as many young-of-the-year were collected in the seining collections. Netting data, in Table 5, indicates a good representation of all game fish. Reproduction was found in all species except channel catfish, but supplemental stocking of 6 to 8-inch fingerlings each year has provided a large catfish population. Total rough fish percentages in Murvaul have increased due to the large number of adult gizzard shad netted this segment. No additional stocking of game fish is recommended for 1972, with the exception of channel catfish. It is recommended that the Panola County Water District continue their rearing-stocking program. Sam Rayburn Reservoir Game fish percentages decreased slightly this segment in the netting data totals, as shown in Table 6. This was attributed to the high number of gizzard shad netted. --- Page 11 --- =0u Table 4 Lake 0' The Pines Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent of of Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Spotted gar 23 2.82 71.06 8.58 3.09 Gizzard shad 386 47.36 323.06 39.04 0.84 Chain pickerel 25 3.07 39.25 4,74 1.57 Spotted sucker 24 2.95 67.81 8.19 2.83 German carp 3 «37 8.00 .97 2.67 Chub sucker 2 225 1.52 «18 76 Golden shiner 20 2.45 4.00 48 .20 Channel catfish* 18 2.20 50.07 6.05 2.78 Black Bullhead 15 1.84 32.18 3.89 2.15 Yellow bullhead 9 1s Ld 6.18 275 69 Flathead catfish* 4 49 24.31 2.94 6.08 Spotted bass* 7 -86 7.14 . 86 1.02 Largemouth bass* 27 3.31 46,30 5.60 1.71 Warmouth* 1 «L2 «50 06 250 Redear sunfish* 112 13.74 28.44 3.44 325 Bluegill* 62 7.61 9.83 Luld 1.68 White crappie* 7 - 86 11.75 1.42 1.68 Black crappie* 70 8.59 96.12 11.62 1.37 Totals 815 100.00 827.52 100.00 Game Fish* 308 376/79 274.46 33.17 Rough Fish 507 62,21 553.06 66.83 --- Page 12 --- ~10- Table 5 Lake Murvaul Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent of of Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Spotted gar 13 1.38 32.56 7.76 2.50 Bowfin 2 wf, 12.12 2.89 6.06 Gizzard shad 496 52.43 141.97 33.83 229 Lake chubsucker 3 woe 1.02 224 34 Golden shiner 1. ell .13 203 -——- Channel catfish* 23 2.43 45.63 10.87 1.98 Yellow bullhead 23 2.43 18.26 4.35 79 Flathead catfish* 4 42 19.00 4.53 4.75 Largemouth bass* 30 3.17 36.74 8.75 1.22 Warmouth* Z 21 62 15 .07 Spotted sunfish* 2 21 225 . 06 13 Redear sunfish* 104 10.99 35.65 8.48 34 Bluegill sunfish* 197 20.83 30.62 7.30 16 White crappie* 11 1.16 14.38 5.43 1.31 Black crappie* 35 3.70 30.75 7.33 88 Totals 946 100.00 419.70 100.00 Rough Fish 538 56.87 206.06 49,10 Game fish* 408 43.13 213.64 50.90 er er ere --- Page 13 --- =11= Table 6 Sam Rayburn Reservoir Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent of of Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Spotted gar 10 1.53 32.76 4,22 0.42 Longnose gar 8 1.23 81.24 10.48 10.16 Bowfin 8 1.23 50.13 6.46 6.27 Gizzard shad 276 42.33 127.37 16.43 0.46 Threadfin shad 1 0.15 0.13 0.02 0.13 Bigmouth buffalo 1 0.15 11.37 1.46 9 ----= Smallmouth buffalo 49 7.52 219.12 | 28.26 4.47 River carpsucker 1 0.15 2.88 0.37 2.88 Spotted sucker 22 3.37 29.475 3.84 1.35 Carp 3 0.46 16.75 2.16 5.58 Channel catfish* 5 0.77 11437 1.47 2 del Black bullhead 3 0.46 4.87 0.63 1.62 Yellow bullhead 10 1.53 8.92 - 1.15 0.89 White bass* 5 0.77 11.31 1.46 2.26 Spotted bass* 2 0.31 0.50 0.06 0.25 Largemouth bass* 17 2.61 23.87 3.08 1.40 Redear Sunfish* 16 2.46 4,94 0.64 0,31 Bluegill sunfish* 69 10.58 11.37 1.47 0.16 White crappie* 73 AA. ZO 67.88 8.75 0.93 Black crappie* 66 10.12 39.55 5.10 0.60 Drum 7 1.07 19.30 2.49 2.76 Totals 652 100.00 775.38 100.00 Game Fish* 253 38.80 170.79 22.03 Rough Fish 399 61.20 604.59 77.97 --- Page 14 --- ID Smallmouth buffalo accounted for 28 per cent of the total weight of fish netted. Commercial netting is permitted on contract bid basis only. All catfish have been protected from commercial netting. Fishing success of all game fish species still remains good. Bass fishing pressure has been extremely high this segment, with one large bass tournament yielding over 10,000 pounds of bass. Crappie fishing has been good throughout 1971. Survey data has indicated good reproduction for all game fish species. Additional stocking of bass and channel catfish is not recommended for Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Lake Striker Game fish percentages increased this segment, primarily due to the large number of channel catfish netted, as shown in Table 7. A good representation of all game fish was collected with the exception of largemouth bass. Threadfin shad were stocked in 1970, to provide additional forage. Due to the small numbers of bass netted, it is difficult to evaluate the threadfin stocking as related to largemouth bass. White bass numbers have increased, as have the average size of this species. It is recommended that commercial netting of carp be permitted on Lake Striker to reduce this dominant rough fish species. Netting permits should be issued by contract basis only. Reproduction has been found in all major game fish species, therefore, no additional stocking is recommended for 1972. Toledo Bend Reservoir Toledo Bend continues to provide one of the Nation's best sport fisheries. Numerous bass tournaments have been held this segment with great success. Public access has been improved. Striped bass have been recovered by fishermen through- out the lake. Striped bass were stocked by the Louisiana Game and Fish Commission in 1969, 1970, and 1971. Netting data collected this segment, as shown in Table 8, indicates good representation of largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie and channel catfish. Gizzard shad and yellow bullheads represented the bulk of rough fish species netted. Reproduction of most game fish was found to be satisfactory. No supplementory stocking is recommended for this segment. RAKE With the establishment of 2 additional fisheries projects in Region III, Project III-B and III-A work areas were modified in September 1971. Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir are now the responsibility of the Region III-D Project. Lake Palestine is now under Project III-C management. Lake Texarkana, formally assigned to Project III-A, is now the responsibility of III-B. --- Page 15 --- =13= Table 7 Lake Striker Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent of of Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Spotted gar A, »40 1.37 .68 ——— Gizzard shad 85 34.41 23.87 11,.76 +28 Spotted sucker 14 Da 67 17.19 8.47 1,22 Carp 14 5.67 88. 88 43.80 6.34 Channel catfish* 55 22027 33.62 16.57 61 Flathead catfish* 3 1,22 7.50 3.70 2.50 White bass* 20 8.10 13.19 6.50 65 Spotted bass* 1 41 7/5 «37 ---- Largemouth bass* 3 1.21 1.93 ~95 ~64 Warmouth* 1 -40 «L3 - 06 ---- Redear sunfish* 15 6.07 5.00 2.46 «33 Bluegill sunfish* 16 6.48 - 3.90 1.73 wd. White crappie* 18 7.29 5.63 2.77 vo. Black crappie* 1 -40 wd] -18 ---- Totals 247 100.00 202.93 100.00 Rough Fish 114 46.15 131.31 64.71 Game Fish* 133 53.85 71,62 35.29 rN ehh eh eee --- Page 16 --- =14~ Table 8 Toledo Bend Reservoir Netting Results Per Cent Per Cent of of _Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Spotted gar 58 6.63 115.17 11.60 1.99 Longnose gar 1 0.11 5.50 0.55 5.50 Bowfin 37 4,23 169.88 17.11 4,59 Gizzard shad 179 20.46 85.38 8.60 0.48 Spotted sucker 42 4.80 82.24 8.28 1.96 Lake chubsucker 15 1.71 4,86 0.49 0.32 River carpsucker 15 Lid 4.52 0.46 0.30 Smallmouth buffalo 4 0.46 28.25 2.85 7.06 German carp 3 0.34 19.26 1.94 6.42 Blacktail redhorse 1 0.11 2.1.9 0.22 ---- Golden shiner 1 0.11 0,25 0.03 ---- Flathead catfish* 1 QO.11 11.62 1.17 ---- Channel catfish* 6 0.69 25.81 2.60 4,30 Black bullhead 66 7.54 83.61 8.42 1.27 Yellow bullhead 188 21.49 209.32 21.09 1.11 Largemouth bass* 25 2.86 42.50 4,28 1.70 Warmouth* 12 1.37 3.95 0,40 0.33 Redear sunfish* 2 0.23 0.63 0.06 0.32 Bluegill sunfish* 148 16.92 50.00 5.04 0.34 Longear sunfish* 3 0.34 0.99 0.10 0,33 White crappie* 16 1.83 23,81 2.40 1.49 (continued on Page 15) --- Page 17 --- -~15- Table 8 Continued: ma a Per Cent Per Cent of of Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Black crappie* 32 3.66 14.43 1.45 0.45 Flier* 19 2.17 6.44 0.65 0.34 Drum 1 Q.14 2,13 0.21 ---- i Totals 875 100.00 992.74 100.00 Game fish* 264 30.17 156.97 15 26k Rough fish 611 69.83 835.77 84.19 oe CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. It is recommended that existing netting regulations in Sam Rayburn Reservoir be continued for the protection of the flathead catfish. 2. No additional stocking of game fish is recommended for Sam Rayburn Reservoir as collection data indicate adequate reproduction. 3. A fall water draw-down is recommended for Dam "'B'" Reservoir for the control of submerged aquatics. 4g No additional stocking of game fish species is recommended for Dam "'B" as reproduction is good. 5 The recommendation is made to continue the channel catfish stocking program in jake Murvaul initiated in 1967, by the Panola County Water District. 6% It is also recommended that no commercial netting contract or otherwise be per- mitted on Lake Murvaul. 7» No additional stocking of threadfin shad is recommended for Lake Striker as there is a well established population there. 8. It is recommended that commercial netting be allowed on Lake Striker, due to the large carp population (by contract bid basis only). 9. Additional stocking of game fish is not recommended for Lake Striker. 10. Additional stocking of game fish species in Toledo Bend Reservoir is not recommended as segment data indicates good reproduction. --- Page 18 --- ~16- 11. Segment netting and seining data from Caddo Lake indicates additional stocking of game fish is not advisable. 12. It is recommended that the use of nets be prohibited in Lake 0' the Pines for the protection of the flathead catfish and other game fish species. This action would require legislative action as Marion County is not an area of regulatory responsibility. 13. It is recommended that chemical control of water hyacinths and submerged aquatics be conducted on Toledo Bend and Caddo Lake. Prepared by Danny Bodeker Approved by Per A Ltabendan, Assistant Project Leader Branch Head, Wildlife Restoration Date April i7, 1972 Robert J. Kem Assistant for Fisheries Restoration