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BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Tar River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano

 

Date of sample:

3/30/2016     

 

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

From the dam at Battle Park downstream approximately 1.5 miles to the Rte 64 Bridge.

 

Water temperature was approximately 15 C, or approximately 60 F.

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Battle Park ramp

 

Species (spp) information:

·         Spp. captured:

American Shad

 

·         Numbers by spp:      76 American Shad

 

·         Size range by spp:   American Shad 15-23”

 

·         Max size for spp:      American Shad – Female ~ 3.5 pounds;

 

·         Sex ratio by spp:       American Shad approximately 75% Males

 

·         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 moderately turbid.

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

 

Warm and clear.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

 

There were a moderate number of boat anglers (5 boats) fishing in the Battle Park area.  There were approximately 15 bank anglers fishing in the Battle Park area.

 

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

The American Shad should maintain good numbers over the next several weeks, while Hickory Shad will be decreasing. Shad sampled were returned to the river in good condition. We did observe two Striped Bass during sampling, yet Striped Bass should be increasing in number over the next few weeks. 

2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information: Between March 21 to March 27


Doug Mumford of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared some creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Tar-Pamlico 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.  

 

Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)

 

Shad fishing is underway. Creel clerks interviewed anglers with fair hickory shad catches. Plenty of American shad are still being caught, especially at Battle Park.  It was a little slow this past weekend as the weather was lousy. There was an apparent shift from shad effort to striped bass effort in this area. Decent catches of striped bass have been reported. Many slot fish being reported caught and release. Cut shad was the go to bait.

 

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)

 

Stripers are on the move in the Washington area. Water temperature in this region is around 60 degrees making topwater possible. Many stripers, mostly small and slots with a mix of harvestable sized striped bass, have been reported from Tranters Creek area and upstream. Catches of striped bass were also reported from the vicinity of downtown Washington. Increasing water temperatures will continue to push the stripers upstream.

 

Shad and Striped Bass Regulations for Tar River

 

The daily bag limit is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad, in combination, per angler.

 

The daily creel limit for Striped Bass is two fish per angler and the minimum size limit is 18 inches. In the inland and joint waters of the Tar River, no Striped Bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in total length shall be retained in the daily creel limit.

 

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District 3 assistant fisheries biologist Evan Cartabiano with an American Shad sampled downstream of the Battle Park boat ramp during NCWRC boat electrofishing in the Tar River on March 30, 2016.