UAT

BASIC INFO:

River sampled: Roanoke River

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Katy Potoka, Chris Smith, and Kevin Dockendorf – NCWRC Fisheries Biologists

Brandi Potter and Aubrey Onley – Edenton National Fish Hatchery

Thomas Harvey – NCWRC Social Media Coordinator

Date of sample: April 4^th & 5^th 2016

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

55-57 F near the Gaston Boating Access Area at the Hwy 48 bridge

Boat ramp(s) used to access river: Gaston Boating Access Area

Species (spp) information:

·      Species and number captured: 120 American Shad

·      Size range by spp:

American Shad ranged in size from 16 to 21 inches

·      Max size for spp:

American shad – 21 inches

·      Sex ratio by spp:

60 female, 60 male American Shad

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:

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

River flows were 9,000 cfs. Water remained stained and slightly muddy.

Weather conditions on sampling date?

60 F, overcast, wind 10 mph

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

2 boating parties fishing the area; one party reported catching their limit of Striped Bass on artificial flukes during a 20 minute trip upstream of the Highway 48 bridge.

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

American shad were found around the Highway 48 bridge, and scattered along the downstream shorelines. Shad were collected around the paper mill bridge and below, most American Shad were collected mid-channel. A few Striped Bass, catfish, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and one walleye were also observed around the Highway 48 bridge and along the downstream shorelines during broodfish collections.

American Shad were collected and transported to Edenton National Fish Hatchery for propagation and stocking in Roanoke River near Weldon BAA as part of the NCWRC American Shad Restoration Plan. 

Roanoke River Creel Survey Information: (March 31- April 7, 2016)

Kevin Dockendorf, Coastal Fisheries Research Coordinator of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), will share some creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Roanoke River during March, April, and May this season. The Roanoke River Creel Survey is designed and administered by the NCWRC through Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funding to estimate angler effort, catch, and harvest of Striped Bass in the Roanoke River Management Area (RRMA).

Upper River: WRC Boating Access Areas (BAA) near Gaston, Weldon, Scotland Neck

Fishing Activity: In the upper Roanoke at Weldon, our creel clerks continued to observed anglers catching hickory shad from the bank and from the boat. Numbers of hickory shad caught was similar to last week; angler responses to number of hickory shad caught ranged from 10 to 100 fish caught in an outing. One striped bass was recorded harvested at Weldon, although anglers have been catching striped bass around the Gaston boating access area on the main river. Anglers are catching striped bass around the Highway 258 bridge, including a nice 29-inch, 9.5 pounder on Sunday, April 3.

For reference, links to the websites of the USGS gages and projected flow releases are available in the Roanoke River Water Conditions pod located on the right side of this webpage.

Lower River: WRC BAAs near Lewiston, Hamilton, Williamston, Jamesville, Plymouth

Fishing Activity: Our creel clerks observed angling effort and harvest of striped bass in the lower Roanoke River from our NCWRC Boating Access Areas at Jamesville-Astoria Landing and Williamston. Anglers were using both artificial and cut bait to catch striped bass in good numbers with striped bass harvested between 18 and 22 inches with an average weight around 3 pounds. Anglers also caught numerous white perch and catfish in the Jamesville and Williamston area.

Shad and Striped Bass Regulations for Roanoke River

The daily bag limit is 10 shad per angler, of which only one may be an American (white) shad on the Roanoke River and its tributaries.

The daily creel limit for Striped Bass is two fish per angler and the minimum size limit is 18 inches in total length. No fish between 22 inches and 27 inches in total length shall be retained in the daily creel limit. Only one fish larger than 27 inches in total length may be retained in the daily creel limit.

Single Barbless Hook regulation – NOW in effect

April 1–June 30 in Inland Waters of Roanoke River upstream of U.S. Highway 258 bridge to Roanoke Rapids Dam, only a single barbless hook or lure with a single barbless hook (or hook with barb bent down) may be used.

• Striped Bass Fishing in North Carolina
• Striped Bass 2017 Regulation Card (PDF)
• Electrofishing information
• Shad and River Herring Identification Handout (PDF)
• REPORT a Tagged Striped Bass
• Striped Bass Reward Poster - (PDF)
• Monitoring and Surveys Reports

Click here to view map.
Note: This map is to be used for general informational purposes only and not for navigation of the Roanoke River. Rocks, logs, and other hazards are likely to be encountered anywhere in this area.
 

Click here to view map.
Note: This map of the Roanoke River Boating Access Areas is to be used for general informational purposes only.

• Roanoke Rapids
• Halifax
• Oak City
• Jamesville
• Hwy 45
• Projected Flow Releases from Roanoke Rapids Dam to Roanoke River