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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Tar River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano
Date of sample:
4/5/2016 and 4/6/2016
Area(s) of river sampled and water temps:
From the dam at Battle Park downstream approximately 1.5 miles to the Rte 64 Bridge (April 5).
From Swift Creek downstream to Fishing Creek (April 6).
Water temperature was approximately 15 C, or approximately 60 F both days.
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Battle Park ramp and Bell’s Bridge WRC boat ramp.
Species (spp) information:
Numbers by spp:
88 American Shad
14 Striped Bass
2 Hickory Shad
Size range by spp:
American Shad 15-23”
Striped Bass 18-26”
Hickory Shad 15-16”
Max size for spp:
American Shad – Female ~ 3.5 pounds;
Striped Bass – Male ~ 8 pounds;
Hickory Shad – Male ~ 1 pound.
Sex ratio by spp:
American Shad ~ 60% Males;
Striped Bass ~ 85% Males;
Hickory Shad – 50/50.
Were the fish tagged? The Striped Bass were tagged with DMF individually numbered anchor tags
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
At time of sampling, Tar River was at optimal levels for sampling and slightly turbid.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Cold and clear on April 5 and cool and clear on April 6.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
There was one boat angler fishing in the Battle Park area and approximately 10 bank anglers fishing in the Battle Park area on April 5. There were no boat or bank anglers observed between Swift Creek and Fishing Creek, although one boat trailer was in the parking lot at Bell’s Bridge on April 6.
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, with Striped Bass increasing in number, and Hickory Shad decreasing dramatically. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition. We sampled the majority of American Shad (70 fish) near Battle Park, with 18 sampled between Swift Creek and Fishing Creek. We sampled 2 Hickory Shad about 2 miles upstream of Fishing Creek. We did observe a few Striped Bass while sampling near Battle Park, yet all Striped Bass collected were between Swift Creek and Fishing Creek, with the majority of Striped Bass just downstream of Swift Creek. The river was only slightly turbid and descending. Levels are beginning to drop to the point that navigation may become difficult, yet actual levels are highly dependent on the amount of precipitation in the basin.
2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information: Between March 28 to April 3
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 slowed up considerably last week. Still a chance to catch some for those wanting to get in a shad trip. A few decent catches of American shad were reported at Battle Park. Striper fishing picked up some but shad was harder to come by for cut bait.
Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)
Stripers are still on the move in the Tar/Pamlico. 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 but the fish are definitely moving up river. 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.