Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

A quantitative creel census was conducted for eight years on the Missouri portion of Bull Shoals Reservoir; on the Little North Fork Arm from 1953 through 1958, and on the White River Arm from 1955 through 1960. Sport fishing catch from the Little North Fork Arm averaged 39.2 pounds per acre (44.0 fish) over the six-year period. About 89.3 percent of the weight of fish taken was of predacious game fishes, including 49.6 percent (19.6 pounds per acre) of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), 9.2 percent (3.5 pounds per acre) of spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) , and 23.1 percent (9.4 pounds per acre) of black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). Total fishing pressure per acre ranged from 35.5 hours (7.5 trips) to 105.3 hours (22.4 trips) with an average of 61.2 hours (12.6 trips). The rate of catch increased from 0.57 fish per hour in 1953 to 0.86 fish per hour in 1958. The percentage of successful anglers varied from 78.1 to 88.0 percent.

Black bass fishing in the White River Arm of Bull Shoals Reservoir, Missouri, was regarded as sensational for several years following its impoundment in 1952. In 1958, just after a tagging program was added to test netting and creel census programs, an unpredicted decline in black bass fishing began. Only largemouth bass nine inches or longer were tagged so population estimates include only that portion of the population. In 1958, black bass numbers reached an all-time high, but late that year the population began a decline which continued throughout the study. The average length of bass captured by electro-fishing increased each succeeding year, indicating a population of larger bass fewer in number. According to various measurements, 1958 began with a high predator population and a low forage population. Few schools of shad were seen, and large· mouth bass scales showed poor growth.

Quantitative creel census techniques were employed on Missouri tailwaters for the fist time during 1961. Specific areas below Table Rock and Taneycomo Reservoirs on White River and below Clearwater Reservoir on Black River were censused using a stratified sampling technique throughout the year. Estimated fishing pressure on Table Rock tailwater was 608 hours per acre and the rate of catch amounted to 0.62 fish per hour. The yield per acre was about 380 fish, weighing 192 pounds. Hatchery reared rainbow trout comprised nearly 90 percent of the yield by number. Taneycomo tailwater supported an estimated 609 hours of fishing per acre. Rate of catch amounted to 0.55 fish per hour; the yield per acre was 343 fish weighing 408 pounds. White bass made up more than 37 percent of the total creel, followed by drum, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill. Estimated fishing pressure on Clearwater tailwater was 1,607 hours per acre, with a catch rate of 0.55 per hour.

Data is presented over a four-year period on population changes and dynamics in an 8,500-acre reservoir following rotenone treatment for selective shad reduction. Population data for four years prior to the shad kill is also discussed and analyzed. An analysis of the operation including methods, techniques, and results is presented. Records of fish stocking, creel census, age and growth and population studies after treatment is discussed and evaluated. Particular emphasis is directed toward two introduced species, white bass and threadfin shad. Data on the expansion and establishment of these introductions and the rapid growth rates encountered are presented. Year class dominance, reproduction, and fisherman success are compared, and the overall effect of selective shad kills on fish population changes is discussed and summarized.

Past research by the Georgia Game and Fish Commission on lime treatment of farm ponds has indicated a definite improvement in fertilization results following lime application. Management recommendations for problem areas has been one ton of agricultural lime per acre. This study was initiated to determine the effects of lime treatment on the qualitative and quantitative production of benthic organisms in upper coastal plain and piedmont ponds. Lime added at the rates indicated above will significantly increase production of benthic fish food organisms. This increase of bottom food organisms was accompanied by changes in soil and water pH and an increase in plankton production and total hardness of the water. In some instances it is believed that the addition of lime at the rate of one ton per acre is not sufficient to attain maximum benthos production.

An electro-fishing unit developed for use on large impoundments was tested for efficiency in capturing Largemouth and Spotted Bass during the winter months for a tagging program. Experiments were conducted to determine mortality rate of fish captured under actual field conditions for the electro-fishing units described. Two body locations on Largemouth and Spotted Bass were tested for their ability to retain the Petersen Tag. Tagging mortality for one of the locations is given.

Good productivity of fish and aquatic life are dependent upon clear, clean water at favorable temperatures and with sufficient concentrations of needed dissolved gases and solids. The number of individuals and species of bottom animals or plankton present in streams and lakes are important criteria of water quality. Siltation is one of the most damaging and widespread pollutants; it causes reduction of light penetration, destruction of shelter, and smothering effects on eggs. For short periods fishes tolerate turbidities up to 100,000 parts per million, but under long-term exposure, concentrations of 100-200 ppm can be directly harmful. Fishes may tolerate dissolved solids up to 3,000 ppm or more if they are nontoxic earth metals and physiologically balanced. Bass and bluegill eggs and fry can survive in salt water up to about 10 percent sea strength. Temperatures of 93° to 96° F. represent the critical level for most species of warmwater fishes.

The toxicity of fifteen chemicals used in vegetation control or disease treatment was studied. The fry of largemouth black bass, Micropterus salmoides, bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, and channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus were used as test animals. Chemicals included were three forms of silvex, three formulations of endothal, simazine, atrazine, diquat, two forms of benzenehexachloride, roccal, acriflavine, malachite green and methylene blue. Results of toxicity tests were used to arrive at a safe concentration of the various chemicals for the species of fry used as test animals. Several of the chemicals showed evidence of species specificity and one herbicide was sufficiently toxic to these species of fishes to warrant consideration as a fish toxicant.

A study involving macro-invertebrate populations, fish populations, and water quality determinations was conducted on Bicycle Path Creek and Parkerson Mill Creek, Lee County, Alabama, during a nine-month period in 1959. The streams, averaging 7.0 and 5.8 inches in depth and 10.0 and 12.8 feet in width, respectively, received domestic sewage from approximately half of the 16,000 inhabitants of Auburn, Alabama. Sewage was diverted from Bicycle Path Creek and pumped via a lift station to a sewage treatment plant located on Parkerson Mill Creek. The plant became operative about halfway through the study and the treated effluent was discharged into Parkerson Mill Creek.