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BASIC INFO: River sampled:
Roanoke River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Katy Potoka and Chris Smith – NCWRC District 1 Fisheries Biologists
Kevin Dockendorf – NCWRC Coastal Fisheries Research Coordinator
Tucker Hobbs – NCWRC Weldon Depot Technician
Date of sample:
April 25th and 28th, 2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Gaston Boating Access Area at the Hwy 48 bridge and Weldon BAA
Water temperatures varied between 58 and 64 F during sampling events
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Gaston Boating Access Area
Weldon Boating Access Area
Species (spp) information:
· Species and number captured:
16 American Shad
394 Striped Bass
· Size range by spp:
American Shad ranged in size from 17 to 21 inches
Striped Bass ranged in size from 10 to 32 inches
· Max size for spp:
American shad – 21 inches and weighed 2.6 pounds
Striped Bass- 32 inches and 17.6 lbs.
· Sex ratio by spp:
8 female, 8 male American Shad
30 female, 364 male Striped Bass
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
River flows were 4,500 cfs. Water had cleared up near the Gaston Boating Access Area.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
75-80 F, clear skies, wind 0-5 mph
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Boating parties at Weldon, reported mixed results, with some catching their limit and others not catching anything. The majority of fishermen were around the rapids just above the boat ramp and big rock. Angling parties that went downstream toward the powerlines reported more success.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
This was a slow week for American Shad near the Gaston boating Access Area; however, a sex ration of 1:1 was observed on the spawning grounds for the first time this year. Indications of spawning were evident as the water temperature approached 65 degrees, and some post-spawned females were collected.
The Striped Bass sample continues to improve as water temperatures increase, more fish are being observed on the spawning grounds and more females were collected this week, indicating spawning will occur in the next few weeks. This weekend should provide anglers a great opportunity to catch and harvest fish before the harvest season ends on Saturday April 30th.
Projected flows for next week are expected to increase to 4,700 cfs and should continue to allow warming water temperatures, these warming conditions could result in spawning of American Shad and Striped Bass. Division of Marine Fisheries tagged 340 Striped Bass at near the Weldon Boating Access Area; 53 were red tags worth $100. The weekly electrofishing survey will continue on Monday, May 2.
For your reference, links to the websites of the USGS gages and projected flow releases are available in the Roanoke River Water Conditions pod located on the right side of this webpage.
Roanoke River Creel Survey Information: April 22-27, 2016
Kevin Dockendorf, Coastal Fisheries Research Coordinator of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), will share some creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Roanoke River during March, April, and May this season. The Roanoke River Creel Survey is designed and administered by the NCWRC through Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funding to estimate angler effort, catch, and harvest of Striped Bass in the Roanoke River Management Area (RRMA).
Upper Region: WRC Boating Access Areas (BAA) near Gaston, Weldon, Scotland Neck
Fishing Activity: Creel clerks interviewed anglers at Weldon and Scotland Neck with a good number of limits of Striped Bass this week. Anglers reported using artificial lures, cut shad, and live bait to catch Striped Bass. Most keepers are 20-21 inches and weigh about 3 to 3.5 pounds. Creel clerks conducted 87 interviews combined on Saturday and Sunday with 220 fish measured and weighed in at 690 pounds during the 6-hours they sampled at the Weldon boat ramp that weekend. There were a few fish greater than 27 inches reported caught and kept. Anglers reported catching and releasing a good number of protected slot size fish.
Lower Region: WRC BAAs near Lewiston, Hamilton, Williamston, Jamesville, Plymouth
Fishing Activity: Anglers caught Striped Bass near Hamilton, Williamston, and Jamesville with most of the angling effort around Williamston and Hamilton. Most keepers were 20-21 inches, with most striped bass caught on cut bait. A fair number of Striped Bass in the protected slot limit were reported caught and released. White perch, blue catfish and channel catfish were being caught in fair numbers. Largemouth bass, sunfish, and crappie were also observed during angling interviews at Williamston this week.
Shad and Striped Bass Regulations for Roanoke River
The daily bag limit is 10 shad per angler, of which only one may be an American (white) shad on the Roanoke River and its tributaries.
The daily creel limit for Striped Bass is two fish per angler and the minimum size limit is 18 inches in total length. No fish between 22 inches and 27 inches in total length shall be retained in the daily creel limit. Only one fish larger than 27 inches in total length may be retained in the daily creel limit.
As a reminder, the entire Roanoke River Management Area will close to striped bass harvest on Saturday, April 30, 2016 as scheduled by regulation. The Roanoke River Management Area includes the Roanoke River and tributaries from Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers.
Commission biologists project the harvest quota of 68,750 pounds for the Roanoke River Management Area will be met by April 30. Staff monitor harvest throughout the season by interviewing anglers at boating access areas throughout the Roanoke River Management Area.
Single Barbless Hook regulation – Remains in effect
April 1–June 30 in Inland Waters of Roanoke River upstream of U.S. Highway 258 bridge to Roanoke Rapids Dam, only a single barbless hook or lure with a single barbless hook (or hook with barb bent down) may be used.
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.
Katy Potoka, NCWRC District 1 Fisheries Biologist, holds a striped bass collected from the Roanoke River on April 11, 2016. Striped Bass have been on the spawning grounds since early April in anticipation of optimal water temperatures for spawning (68-72F). Nearly 400 striped bass were sampled on Monday, April 25 with water temperatures approaching 63F.