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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 28, 2015
April 29, 2015
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Lock and Dam 1 (Rock Arch Ramp) 63 F
Lock and Dam 2 63 F
Lock and Dam 3 64 F
Buckhorn Dam 64 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 = 144
Striped Bass = 63
· Size range by spp:
Males: 14-19 in
Females: 18-22 in
Males: 14-26.5 in
Females: 21-31 in
· Max size for spp:
American Shad: 22 inches, 4.4 lbs
Striped Bass: 31 inches, 14.4 lbs
· Sex ratio by spp:
Females = 47
Males = 97
Juveniles = 4
Males = 22
Females = 37
· Were the fish tagged?
Striped Bass were tagged with external anchor tags and internal PIT tags. There are rewards up to $100 for anglers that catch and submit the cut anchor tags before striped bass are released. 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 3,500-5,000 cfs at all three Lock and Dams and 2,500 cfs at Buckhorn Dam while sampling this week. Water clarity was typical for the Cape Fear River.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Conditions were sunny and warm while sampling at Buckhorn Dam and Lock and Dams 2 and 3. Conditions were cool and raining while sampling at Lock and Dam 1.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Anglers were observed catching American Shad at each Lock and Dam this week. Anglers reported catching their limit of 5 American Shad per person quickly this week. No Striped Bass were observed being pursued or caught.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
American Shad and Striped Bass were abundant at Lock and Dam 1 this week. Over 70% of our Striped Bass collected were found at Lock and Dam 1. American Shad were plentiful at Lock and Dam 3 as well with over 40% of our catch coming from this site. Striped Bass and American Shad were collected at all three Lock and Dams as well as at Buckhorn Dam this week. American Shad appear to be spawning as we are starting to collect gravid females releasing eggs.
Cape Fear River Creel Survey Update
High water over the last week has hampered fishing effort as access areas at locks were closed. Creel clerks observed anglers with catches of relatively large American Shad, especially at locks 2 and 3.
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 design and data analysis for annual compliance reports.
NCWRC Fisheries Biologist Michael Fisk holding a Striped Bass with a red high reward ($100) anchor tag collected at Lock and Dam 3 on April 28, 2015.