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BASIC INFORMATION:
River sampled:
Cape Fear
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Michael Fisk
Clint Morgeson
Thad Watkins
Date of sample:
3/21/2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Lock and Dam 1
Lock and Dam 2
Lock and Dam 3
61-65 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Species (spp) information:
Spp. captured:
American Shad
Striped Bass
Numbers by spp:
American Shad 77
Striped Bass 4
Size range by spp:
American Shad 15-22 in
Striped Bass 13-27 in
Max size for spp:
American Shad 22 in, 3.4 lbs
Striped Bass 27 in, 9.3 lbs
Sex ratio by spp:
American Shad 2.5:1
Striped Bass 2:1
Were the fish tagged?
Striped Bass were fin clipped for genetic analysis
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
The river has not fluctuated a lot this week. The gage at Lock and Dam 1 has ranged from 4,400-4,700 cfs.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Cool, breezy, 50’s
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Anglers reported catching shad at all three lock and dams in the past week with catch rates highest at lock and dam 2.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
Our catch rates were highest at Lock and Dam 2 which compliments higher catch rates from anglers at this site when compared to the other lock and dams. Striped Bass were collected at Lock and Dams 1 and 2. Both species will continue to increase in numbers as the water warms up.
2016 Cape Fear River Creel Survey Information: Between March 14 to March 20
Doug Mumford of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared some creel survey information collected from the Cape Fear River. The creel surveys are conducted during March, April, and May and extend in the upper portions of the Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers during this time of year. The surveys are administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries through Coastal Recreational Fishing License funding, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission assists with survey design and data interpretation in the upper portions of each river.
Most anglers sampled at Lock Number 1 and Number 2 had limits of fish with some anglers reporting 50 fish days. Catfish catches were reported to creel clerks as were catches Largemouth bass and crappie during this period.
District 4 fisheries biologist Clint Morgeson (l) and conservation technician Thad Watkins holding a Striped Bass and American Shad caught on March 21, 2016 at Lock and Dam 1 on the Cape Fear River. Photo Credit: Michael Fisk