TPWD 1961 F-6-R-8 #653: Creel Census of Fort Brown Lake

Marion Tools Coordinator Report of Fisheries Investigations Creel Census of Fort Brown Lake by Charles T. Menu Assistant Project Leader Dingelleohnson Project F-6-R—8, JOb B-15 January 1, 1960 - February 28, 1960 H. D. Dodgen — Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas KBnneth C. Jurgens & William H, Brown Assistant Coordinators A B S T R A C T In an effort to determine the value of rehabilitation work done at Fort Brown Lake, a creel census was begun on March 1, 1959, and completed on.February 28, 1960. A total of 5,520.52 fishing.units was estimated during the twelve—month census period. The "fish- ing units" were figured by adding the total number of man—hours spent fishing and the total pounds of dressed fish caught. Based on the cost of the rehabilitation work, each dollar spent produced h.88 fishing units or each fishing unit cost 20.h cents. Jab Completion Report State oft TEXAS Project No. F-6wa8 Name: Fisheries Investi ations and Surve s of ' the Waters of Region 8—B Jdb No. Bw15 Title: Creel Census of Fort Brown Lake Period Covered: January 12 1960 w February 28, 1960 OBJECTIVES To determine the fishing pressure and fish catch of a small lake in the lower Rio Grande valley which has previously been renovated and restocked. PROCEDURE A retired man who lives near the lake was employed as extra labor to gather creel census data every fifth day for eight hours. The sample days, which were picked at random, included several week days (usually three) as well as weekwend days (usually two) during each month. As many fishermen as possible were contacted and interviewed during a fourwhour period twice a day in an effort to establish the fishing pressure. Also, the catch of each fisherman was checked to determine the number, kind, and size of fish taken. Records of each party were kept on fish census cards. DISCUSSION On March 1, 1959, Fort Brown Lake was opened for sport fishing by the City of Brownsville. Because of the location of this lake, within the city limits of Browns~ ville, the City has jurisdiction over the lake. The lake was chemically treated on February h, 1958, (Project leth-2, Job 16am9) and later restocked with 5,000 black bass (Micro terns salmoides) and 3,000 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) (Project F-lth~2, JOb l a~5§. At the time of stocking, the black bass were approximately two inches and the channel catfish were about three inches in total length. After the renovation program was completed, fishing was prohibited for a year in order to allow the bass ample time to become established and possibly spawn. Since this job covered a period of twelve months and parts of three segments, the first phase of this jdb was reported on (F~6~R—6, Jon Bwl5) as well as the second 'phase (Project F~6mR~7, Jab Bml5). However, since the third phase was only two months in duration, the data collected during the second phase are presented in detail with that of the third phase. Table 1 shows the creel census data gathered during the second and third phases ' of this jOb (from July 1959 through February 1960). The first part of this table shows the monthly creel census data and the second part shows the monthly data multiplied by the "multiplicant factor". The multiplicant factor was figured by dividing the number of days in a month by the number of days censused that month. By applying the multiplicant factor to the actual census data, it was possible to arrive at an estimated total number of fishermen, man-hours fished, fish caught, fishing units, etc., during each month (see Table 1). Table 1 shows the estimated number of fishing units for the second and third phases only. The estimated total number of fishing units over the twelve-month period was 5,520.52. The fishing units were figured by adding the total man hours fishing and the total dressed weight (in pounds) of the fish caught. For example, one man hour' of fishing was considered equal to one fishing unit, likewise one pound of dressed fish (gills and visceral organs removed) is equal to one fishing unit. Project personnel caught, weighed, and measured bass from the lake on March 2 and 3, 1959. These measurements were used to determine the weight of the bass measured during the creel census. Dressed weights for the catfish, warmouth bass (Chasndbryttus gulosus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) were obtained from netted specimens from this lake less about 15 percent weight loss for gills and visceral organs. Length mea- surements of the fish caught during the creel census were recorded to the nearest inch. For example, a fish that measured between ten and onemhalf and eleven and one— half inches in length was recorded as an eleven inch fish. During the first month of the census, almost h,200 fishing units were figured which is over 75 percent of the total number of units figured for the entire year. This large number of fishing units during the first month after the season opened, might be attributed to two factors. The first being a new lake is almost certain to attract more fishermen in the first month then at any other time. This is due to interest and widespread publicity. Secondly, project personnel assisted the census clerk for the first three days in order to check more fishermen. During the first phase of this job, black bass were caught exclusively. However, during the second and third phases of this job, channel catfish, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), warmouth bass, and white crappie were caught as well. Since black bass and channel catfish were the only species stocked after the very successful fish eradication, the blue catfish, warmouth bass, and white crappie undoubtedly entered the lake through the pumps which brings water out of the Rio Grande to supply this lake. The incoming water was screened prior to entering the lake, but debris choked the untended screens causing breaks and holes in them. Gill netting (in Septw ember 1959, Project Fm6sR-7, Job B—ll} revealed gissard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), carp (Cyprinus carpio), bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), and Rio Grande cichlids (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum} are present in addition to the species listed in the creel census. Table 2 shows the numbers of fish caught during the second and third phases of this job. The black bass comprised about 20.00 percent of the fishermen's creel by number, but over h0.00 percent by weight. All the bass caught during this period ranged from 10- to 16ninches in length, with the majority being llm and 12minches long. Since many of these bass appear to be close to two years of age, it is very possible that some of the 10~ and llminch bass caught during the latter part of this creel census were spawned in the late winter or early spring of 1959. Undoubtedly bass smaller than ten inches in length were caught and probably returned to the lake, thus evading the creel census. ' ’ Table 3 shows the weight (in pounds) of the fish caught during the second and third phases of the job. A variety of baits were used in an effort to harvest the fish. .Minnows and plugs (artificial lures) were found to have been the most effective baits to catch blaCk bass. Dough bait, worms, shrimp, and salt pork, to mention a few, took small numbers of catfish, warmouth bass, white crappie, and even fewer black bass. All of the fishing was done from the shore using rods and reels and cane poles. The average fisherman day was one and one-half hours. This lake, unlike many others, is fished primarily by local residents and out—of-state guests who stop by and fish” this downtown lake for a short time. There are no cottages or commercial developments on this lake as is the case on many public lakes. CONCLUSIONS The cost of eradicating and restocking Fort Brown Lake was $1,130.71. This in- cluded salaries and wages, subsistence and traveling expenses, materials and supplies, etc. During the twelve-month creel census, a total of 5,520.52 fishing units was estimated. The cost of the rehabilitation work divided by the total units showed the cost to be about 20.h cents per fishing unit produced or each dollar spent produced b.88 fishing units. Although comparative data are not available, it appears that the rehabilitation work was very worthwhile on the basis of the number of fishing units produced. Prepared by Charles T. 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