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BASIC INFORMATION:
River sampled:
Cape Fear River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Michael Fisk
Justin Dycus
Thad Watkins
Date of sample:
April 15, 2015
April 16, 2015
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Lock and Dam 1 (Rock Arch Ramp) 67 F
Lock and Dam 2 69 F
Lock and Dam 3 66 F
Buckhorn Dam 63 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Lock and Dam 1 (Rock Arch Ramp)
Lock and Dam 2
Lock and Dam 3
Buckhorn Dam Canoe Launch
Species (spp) information:
· Spp. captured:
American Shad
Striped Bass
· Numbers by spp:
American Shad = 129
Striped Bass = 19
· Size range by spp:
Males 15-19 in
Females 17-22 in
Juveniles 7-17 in
Males 12-26 in
Females 20-26 in
· Max size for spp:
American Shad 21 in, 4.3 lbs
Striped Bass 26 in, 8 lbs
· Sex ratio by spp:
Females = 54
Males = 75
Juveniles = 8
Males = 9
Females = 2
· Were the fish tagged?
Striped Bass were tagged with external anchor tags and internal PIT tags. There are rewards up to $100 for the submission of the anchor tags. If anglers encounter a striped bass with an external tagged striped bass, cut the tag before releasing the Striped Bass and either call NC Division of Marine Fisheries at 1-800-682-2632 or online at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/report-tag-online to report the tag for a reward.
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
The river was around 5,000 cfs at all 3 Lock and Dams and 4,500 cfs at Buckhorn Dam while sampling this week. Water clarity was typical for the Cape Fear River.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Conditions were cool and rainy while sampling.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Anglers were observed catching some American Shad at each Lock and Dam this week. No Striped Bass were observed being caught.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
Striped Bass are starting to show up at Lock and Dam 1 while American Shad are being caught at each Lock and Dam. No American Shad and one Striped Bass were caught at Buckhorn Dam this week. The water temperature has not increased from last week because of the cool, wet weather.
Cape Fear River Creel Survey Update
Creel clerks observed good catches of American Shad at Lock and Dams, 1, 2, and 3. Nice Striped Bass reported caught and released from Lock and Dam 1 (Rock Arch Ramp). Also, anglers reported catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie reported from Lock and Dam 1 (Rock Arch Ramp) on Cape Fear River.
Each week, Doug Mumford from NCDMF shares creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Tar/Pamlico River, Neuse River and Cape Fear River. The DMF creel surveys are funded via through Coastal Recreational Fishing License funding, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission assists with data assessments for annual compliance reports.
Thad Watkins, NCWRC Conservation Technician holding two nice American Shad caught downstream of the Rock Arch Rapids on Wednesday April 15, 2015.