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BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Tar River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Kirk Rundle and Bill Collart

 

Date of sample:

3/28/2014       

 

Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:

From the mouth of Swift Creek downstream to Bell’s Bridge (NC 33)

 

Water temperature was 9 C, approximately 48F

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Bell’s Bridge WRC ramp

 

Species (spp) information:

·         Spp. captured:

American Shad and Hickory Shad

 

·         Numbers by spp:

8 American, 55 Hickory

 

·         Size range by spp:

American shad ~ 16-21”; Hickory shad ~ 12-20”

 

·         Max size for spp:

American – Female ~ 3 pounds; Hickory – Female ~ 2 pounds

 

·         Sex ratio by spp:

Americans ~ 50/50; Hickory ~ 50/50

 

·         Were the fish tagged? No

 

 

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:

River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):

 

At time of sampling, Tar River was at optimal levels for sampling and fairly turbid.  With rain forecast over the weekend, river levels will likely increase considerably next week.

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

 

Cool and overcast.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

 

There were no anglers fishing in the vicinity of Swift Creek.  There were a considerable number of anglers observed fishing in the vicinity of Battle Park.

 

Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:

Anglers targeting Hickory Shad should try fishing in the vicinity of Swift Creek, while anglers targeting American or “white” Shad should try fishing in the vicinity of Battle Park or near the Hwy 97 canoe access area.  Shad sampled were returned to the river in good condition.

 

Creel Survey Information for the week of March 16-23

 

TAR /PAMLICO RIVER 

Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)

Fishing Activity:  High water and flow made access difficult.  American shad were taken as far upstream as Battle Creek.  A few hickory shad were reported from Old Sparta. 

 

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)  

Fishing Activity:  The weather on Saturday, 3/22, brought anglers out in droves.  Striped bass were on the move, as well, in the Washington area.  There appears to be hybrid striped bass mixed in with the striped bass harvest of fish 18 to 20 inches.  The water cleared somewhat and water temperatures were around 55 degrees.  

 

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Fisheries Biologist Kirk Rundle holds an American shad that was sampled on March 17 from the Tar River.