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BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Roanoke River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Katy Potoka, Chad Thomas and Kevin Dockendorf

 

Date of sample:

April 16, 2015-American Shad

April 13, 2015- Striped Bass

 

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

American Shad-Highway 48 to Powerlines near Gaston (58.7–59.2oF)

Striped Bass- Weldon (57.2–60 oF)

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

American Shad-Gaston BAA

Striped Bass- Weldon, BAA

 

Species (spp) information:

 

Spp. captured:

American Shad

Striped Bass

 

Numbers by spp:

34 American Shad

28 Striped Bass

 

Size range by spp:

American Shad: Males: 15.4–19.7 inches

     Females: 17.2–21.3 inches

 

Striped Bass: Males: 14.7–24.3 inches

                         Females: 20.6–25.3 inches

 

Max size for spp:

American Shad: Female, 21.3 inches, 4 pounds

Striped Bass: Female, 25.3 inches, 8.4 pounds

 

Sex ratio by spp:

 American Shad: 19 males, 15 females (1.3:1 males to females)

Striped Bass: 26 males, 2 females (13:1 males to females)

 

 

Were the fish tagged?

American shad were fin clipped for samples to assess stocking contribution by genetic analysis.

Striped Bass were tagged with yellow anchor tags and 2 Striped Bass of harvestable length were tagged with red high reward tags, worth $100.

 

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:


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

 

Flows were at 8,200 cfs on April 13th and April 16th during our sampling events.

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

 

April 13th was warm and sunny; April 16th was rainy in the morning and overcast in the late morning and afternoon.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

On April 16th one boat was observed on the water (fishing in the tail race) at the Gaston Boating Access Area. On April 13th roughly 15 trailers were seen at the Weldon Boating Access Area, some anglers were still catching Hickory Shad while others were targeting Striped Bass.

 

 

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

The numbers of American Shad collected during weekly surveys remain low, future surveys will reveal if increases in water temperatures will result in better numbers of American Shad. However, despite low numbers in weekly collections average male to female ratios remain 1:1.

The Striped Bass sampled revealed low numbers in our weekly collection; however, anglers were reported catching keeper Striped Bass while we were on the water. Many anglers were still targeting Hickory Shad which remained in the river in good numbers. Increases in water temperatures should result in increased numbers of Striped Bass near the Weldon area in the coming weeks.

 

Roanoke River Creel Survey Information:

 

Hickory Shad Update: Anglers reported that they caught a few Hickory Shad earlier in the week on April 11, although the vast majority of anglers are now focused on Striped Bass on the Roanoke River.

 

Striped Bass Update: Creel clerks observed better catches of Striped Bass throughout the Roanoke River between Williamston and Weldon over the last week. Our creel clerks intercepted a good number of angling parties on Wednesday, April 15 with 30 Striped Bass harvested during the creel session at Williamston and another 47 Striped Bass harvested during the sampling session at Weldon. Many anglers reported catching and releasing an increased number of fish less than 18 inches, although a some anglers reported releasing a number of fish in the harvest slot of 18 to 22 inches as they already had their daily bag limit of 2 fish per person. A few Striped Bass from the protected slot limit of 22 to 27 inches were also reported as caught and released and no fish over 27 inches were observed during the creel survey this week. Anglers fishing for Striped Bass were using cut shad, live shiners as well as artificial baits to catch Striped Bass.

 

Striped Bass Regulations on the Roanoke River Management Area:

 

Harvest of Striped Bass is allowed between March 1 and April 30 unless modified by proclamation. The minimum total length limit for Striped Bass is 18 inches. No Striped Bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in total length may be possessed at any time. Only 1 striped bass larger than 27 inches may be included in the daily creel limit of 2 Striped Bass per angler per day.

 

Anglers are reminded that the use of a single barbless hook or an artificial lure with a single barbless hook is required above the Hwy 258 bridge at Scotland Neck to the Roanoke Rapids Dam, which includes the Weldon area.


 


   

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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.

Patrick Railey, Roanoke River creel clerk, measures a Striped Bass harvested by an angler fishing the Roanoke River near Williamston on April 15, 2015.  Creel data is an important management tool for fisheries biologists when characterizing the effort, catch and harvest of Striped Bass in the Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area.