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BASIC INFORMATION:

River sampled:

Cape Fear

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Michael Fisk

Clint Morgeson

Madison Polera


Dates of sample:

4/18/2016

4/19/2016

 

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

Lock and Dam 1      

Lock and Dam 2

Lock and Dam 3

Raven Rock State Park

Buckhorn Dam

63-66 F 

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Lock and Dam 1      

Lock and Dam 2

Lock and Dam 3

Howard’s BBQ in Lillington

Buckhorn tailrace primitive boat launch 

 

Species (spp) information: 

      Numbers by spp:

American Shad        174

Striped Bass             4

 

       Size range by spp:

American Shad        12-21 in

Striped Bass             15-23 in

 

       Max size for spp:

American Shad        21 in, 3.7 lbs

Striped Bass             23 in, 6 lbs

 

      Sex ratio by spp:

American Shad        2.2:1

Striped Bass             2:1

 

      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.

 

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:

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

The river was low and relatively clear during sampling on 4/18. The gage at Lock and Dam 1 was around 3,200 cfs. On 4/19, the gage in Lillington was around 3,500 cfs. 

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

Sunny, breezy, 80’s 

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

Anglers were observed catching American Shad at all three lock and dams. 

 

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

Our catch rates of shad were lower this week than last but there are still a lot of shad in the river. We collected some large roe (female) shad at Lock and Dams 2 and 3. We have observed spawning activity during the evenings at these sites to indicate the shad are starting to spawn. We also collected American Shad at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County sampling around some of the old fishing weirs in the river. Striped Bass numbers are still low, yet anglers are encouraged to come catch a shad while waiting for the Striped Bass to migrate upstream.


2016 Cape Fear River Creel Survey Information: Between April 11 -April 17

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. 

Fishing for American shad, striped bass, and resident species (bream, crappie, bass) improve throughout the week.  Reports of good American shad fishing returned to Lock No. 1 and continued strong at Lock No. 2.  Anglers have also reported taking American shad at Lock No. 3. It is a great time to get that last trip of the year in for shad.  Striper fishing picked up considerably at Lock No.1 with both natural and artificial bait.  Catfishing has been off to some extent this spring.  

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. 

 

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NCWRC fisheries biologist Clint Morgeson holding two American Shad collected from the Cape Fear River near Raven Rock State Park on April 19, 2016.