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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Roanoke River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Katy Potoka, Corey Smith and Kevin Dockendorf
Date of sample:
March 19, 2015
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:)
Highway 48 to Powerlines near Gaston (47.5-49oF)
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Gaston BAA
Species (spp) information:
Spp. captured:
American Shad
Numbers by spp:
5 American Shad
Size range by spp:
Males: 16.5-19.5 inches
Females: 20 inches
Max size for spp:
Female: 20 inches, 3.3 pounds
Sex ratio by spp:
4 males, 1 females (4:1 males to females)
Were the fish tagged?
No, but American shad were fin clipped for samples to assess stocking contribution by genetic analysis
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
Flows were at 6,600 cfs on March 19th during our sampling events.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Overcast and cold (51 oF)
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Fishing activity was light near the Gaston BAA on Thursday; one angler reported catching Largemouth Bass above the Highway 48 Bridge.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
American Shad have started to show up on the spawning ground near the Gaston BAA, albeit in small numbers. Weekly surveys will continue and the peak spawn for American Shad should occur in the next few weeks, as water temperatures continue to rise.
Although Hickory Shad were not sampled this week, we received reports of increased angler effort and reports of good numbers of Hickory Shad caught by anglers at Weldon. The rapid increase in water temperatures throughout this week likely contributed to the rapid increase of the number of Hickory Shad in the Weldon area.
Roanoke River Creel Survey Information:
Hickory Shad Update: In the upper Roanoke, Hickory Shad seemed to arrive virtually overnight at Weldon following a rapid increase in water temperatures in the upper Roanoke. On Saturday, March 14, relatively little effort for Hickory Shad was observed by our creel clerks and they measured water temperatures of 45 degrees at the Weldon boat ramp. By Wednesday, March 17; reports of 50-100 hickory shad being caught at Weldon were relayed to fisheries staff with water temperatures increasing to the lower 50s as measured on the USGS-Halifax gage downstream of Weldon. In a similar fashion, anglers also started catching Hickory Shad on the Cashie River as well as Hoggard’s Mill, a tributary of the Cashie River.
Striped Bass Update: Our creel clerks, Patrick Railey and James Castelloe, continue to observe angling effort and harvest of striped bass in the lower Roanoke River near Plymouth, Jamesville and Williamston. Anglers were using both artificial and cut bait to catch striped bass in good numbers with striped bass harvested between 18 and 22 inches with most weighing between 2 and 4 pounds.
Click here to view map. Note: This map is to be used for general informational purposes only and not for navigation of the Roanoke River. Rocks, logs, and other hazards are likely to be encountered anywhere in this area.
Click here to view map. Note: This map of the Roanoke River Boating Access Areas is to be used for general informational purposes only.
Corey Smith, NCWRC Engineering and Lands Management technician, holds an American shad collected on March 19, 2015 on the Roanoke River near the WRC Boating Access Area near Gaston, NC.