UAT

BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Tar River

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano

Date of sample:

5/2/2016 and 5/4/2016         

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

From a few miles upstream of Swift Creek downstream to Bell’s Bridge (May 2).

From the Battle Park boat ramp downstream to the WRC Dunbar boat ramp (May 4).

Water temperature was approximately 21 C, or approximately 70 F both days.

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Battle Park boat ramp, Bell’s Bridge WRC boat ramp, and Dunbar WRC boat ramp.

Species (spp) information: 

·         Numbers by spp: 86 Striped Bass; 63 American Shad 

·         Size range by spp: American Shad 14-23”, Striped Bass 16-28” 

·         Max size for spp: American Shad–Female ~ 3 pounds; Striped Bass-Female ~ 10 pounds 

·         Sex ratio by spp: American Shad ~ 70% males; Striped Bass ~ 90% 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 high and very turbid. 

Weather conditions on sampling date? 

Warm and partly cloudy on both days. 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river: 

There were no anglers observed on May 2, and 3 bank anglers observed in the vicinity of Battle Park on May 4. 

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 couple of weeks, depending on flows.  We sampled the majority of American Shad near Battle Park, yet observed American Shad downstream to Dunbar.  The majority of Striped Bass were sampled in the vicinity of Swift Creek and downstream, with fewer observed between Battle Park and Dunbar.  The river was turbid and considerably high, making navigation easier, yet collecting fish was a bit of a challenge, due to reduced visibility.  All fish sampled were returned to the water.

2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information for Tar/Pamlico River: Between April 26 to May 1

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) 

Striper fishing continued.  American shad catches were also noted.  Most of the shad were taken in upper regions of the Tar/Pamlico near Rocky Mount.  American shad were still being taken near Battle Park.  The best area again was between the boat ramp and the falls near Battle Park. Striped bass harvest closed on April 30th. 

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington) 

Stripers are still moving up the river.  There are fish around Washington and good numbers of slot fish upstream.  Overall fishing effort picked up a bit last week and weekend as anglers tried to get in the last “keeper days” of the spring; harvest season closed on April 30.  The top water striper bite is still productive.  “Chug bugs”, “Skitter-pops”, and “Striper Swipers” have been working well.

• Electrofishing information
• Shad and River Herring Identification Handout
• REPORT a Tagged Striped Bass
• Monitoring and Surveys Reports

• Rocky Mount
• Tarboro
• Greenville