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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Tar River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano
Date of sample:
4/18/2016 and 4/19/2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
From just below Swift Creek downstream to Fishing Creek (April 18).
From the Battle Park boat ramp downstream to the WRC Dunbar boat ramp (April 19).
Water temperature was approximately 17 C, or approximately 65 F both days.
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Battle Park boat ramp and Bell’s Bridge WRC boat ramp.
Species (spp) information:
· Numbers by spp: 49 Striped Bass; 67 American Shad
· Size range by spp: American Shad 15-23”, Striped Bass 15-30”
· Max size for spp: American Shad–Female ~ 3 pounds; Striped Bass-Female ~ 12 pounds
· Sex ratio by spp: American Shad – 50/50; Striped Bass ~ 80% Males
· 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 rather low and considerably clear in comparison to what we normally observe on the Tar River.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Warm and clear on both days.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
There was one boat angling party fishing near Bell’s Bridge and approximately 3 bank anglers on April 18. There were 8 boat angling parties observed between Battle Park and Dunbar and approximately 10 bank anglers observed in the vicinity of Battle Park on April 19.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
The American Shad and Striped Bass should maintain good numbers over the next several weeks, with very few Hickory Shad remaining. More Striped Bass were observed earlier this week than later with most fish sampled between Bell’s Bridge and Fishing Creek. The Striped Bass appear to have fallen back somewhat as the flows have dropped. Striped Bass should increase in number above Tarboro if flows pick back up again, depending on precipitation. We sampled the majority of American Shad near Battle Park, yet observed American Shad downstream to Fishing Creek. The river was very clear and descending. Levels are at the point that navigation is rather difficult and dangerous. A moderate amount of rain would be helpful in improving access and flows.
2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information for Tar/Pamlico River: Between April 11 to April 17
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)
Anglers continue to fish for American Shad in the Tar/Pamlico. Surprisingly, American shad catches actually improved throughout the week. Most of the shad were taken in upper regions of the Tar/Pamlico near Rocky Mount. There are American shad still being taken regularly at Battle Park. The best area last week was between the boat ramp and the falls near Battle Park. Striper fishing also continues to improve. A few anglers were fishing for stripers with both artificial and natural (cut shad) baits. For all practical purposes, the hickory shad bite has ended.
Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)
Stripers are still moving up the river. There are fish around Washington and good numbers of slot fish upstream. The top water bite has been on and going strong. “Chug bugs”, “Skitter-pops”, and “Striper Swipers” have been working well.
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.
NCWRC fisheries biologist Kirk Rundle with a 12 pound female Striped Bass sampled just upstream of Fishing Creek on the Tar River on April 18, 2016.