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BASIC INFORMATION:
River sampled:
Cape Fear
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Michael Fisk
Clint Morgeson
Madison Polera
Date of sample:
4/4/2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Lock and Dam 1
Lock and Dam 2
Lock and Dam 3
64-65 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Species (spp) information:
Numbers by spp captured:
American Shad 206
Striped Bass 6
Size range by spp:
American Shad 14-21 in
Striped Bass 17-30 in
Max size for spp:
American Shad 21 in, 4.2 lbs
Striped Bass 30 in, 12.2 lbs
Sex ratio by spp:
American Shad 2.8:1
Striped Bass 5:1
Were the fish tagged?
Striped Bass were fin clipped for genetic analysis as part of an ongoing project to evaluate Striped Bass hatchery contribution in the Cape Fear River. Since genetic analysis evaluations were initiated in 2010, hatchery contributions of Striped Bass are at or near 100% while natural reproduction during the same timeframe has been undetectable.
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
The river has dropped since last week from above 8,000 cfs down to 5,400 cfs on the day of sampling.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Sunny, warm 70’s
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Anglers were observed catching American Shad at all three lock and dams. Anglers have reported catching Striped Bass at Lock and Dam 1 and 2.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
We collected most of our American Shad at Lock and Dam 3 (n = 130) compared to Lock and Dam 1 (n = 28) and Lock and Dam 2 (n = 48). All Striped Bass were collected at Lock and Dam 1. Striped Bass abundance should start to increase in the next few weeks.
2016 Cape Fear River Creel Survey Information: Between March 28 to April 4
Doug Mumford of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared some creel survey information collected by creel clerks assigned to access areas on 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.
Shad fishing at Lock and Dam 1 has been slow since the water came up last week. They were still catching a good amount of fish at Lock and Dam 2. The crappie and bass have continued to bite well. Catfishing was slow last week as well. Creel clerk did hear the first reports of stripers being caught at Lock and Dam 1.
Shad and Striped Bass Regulations for the Cape Fear River
The daily bag limit is 10 shad per angler, of which five (5) may be an American (white) shad on the Cape Fear River and its tributaries.
Striped Bass may not be possessed in the Cape Fear River or its tributaries.
WRC technician Madison Polera holding a nice Striped Bass collected at Lock and Dam 1 on the Cape Fear River on April 4, 2016.