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BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Tar River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Kirk Rundle and Bill Collart

 

Date of sample:

4/3/2014        

 

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

From dam at Battle Park to the Rte 64 bridge just above “little falls”

 

Water temperature was 12 C, approximately 54 F

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Battle Park

 

Species (spp) information:

·         Spp. captured:

American Shad and Hickory Shad

 

·         Numbers by spp: 60 American, 2 Hickory

 

·         Size range by spp: American Shad ~ 16-22”; Hickory Shad ~ 17”

 

·         Max size for spp: American Shad – Female ~4 pounds; Hickory Shad – Female ~1.5 pounds

 

·         Sex ratio by spp: Americans ~ 75 % females; Hickory – both fish were females

 

·         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 considerable rain last weekend the river was rather high earlier this week in the Battle Park to Tarboro area, whereas the river is dropping to ideal levels and should provide good fishing by this weekend. 

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

 

Warm and partly cloudy.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

 

There were a considerable number of anglers observed fishing in the vicinity of Battle Park from the bank and several boats just upstream and downstream of the Battle Park boat ramp.

 

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.  Although we have not seen any Striped Bass yet, they should be increasing in number over the next week in the upper reaches of the Tar River, near and above Tarboro.

 

 

CREEL INFO FROM TAR /PAMLICO RIVER: March 24th to March 30th

Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)

Fishing Activity:  High water and flow made access difficult.  Plenty of American shad were reported from Battle Park, but the high water forced officials to close this area the previous weekend. A few hickory shad were reported from Old Sparta. 

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington) 

Fishing Activity:     Striped bass were on the move in the Washington area.  The water had cleared somewhat during this period.  Water temperature in this region was around 55 degrees.  

 

 

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Fisheries Biologist Bill Collart with an American shad sampled from the Tar River.