UAT

BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Roanoke River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Katy Potoka, Jeremy McCargo and Kevin Dockendorf

 

Date of sample:

May 7, 2015-American Shad

May 4, 2015- Striped Bass

 

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

American Shad-Highway 48 to Power lines near Gaston (64–66^oF)

Striped Bass- Weldon (61–63^oF)

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

American Shad-Gaston BAA

Striped Bass- Weldon, BAA

 

Species (spp) information:

 

Spp. captured:

American Shad

Striped Bass

 

Numbers by spp:

48 American Shad

459 Striped Bass

 

Size range by spp:

American Shad: Males: 14–19 inches

     Females: 18–21 inches

 

Striped Bass: Males: 14–36 inches

                         Females: 16–46 inches

 

Max size for spp:

American Shad: Female, 21 inches, 3.9 pounds

Striped Bass: Female, 46 inches, 50.7 pounds

 

Sex ratio by spp:

American Shad: 34 males, 14 females (2.4:1 males to females)

Striped Bass: 406 males, 53 females (7.7:1 males to females)

 

 

Were the fish tagged?

American shad were fin clipped for samples to assess stocking contribution by genetic analysis.

Striped Bass were tagged with yellow anchor tags and 30 Striped Bass of harvestable length were tagged with red high reward tags, worth $100.

 

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:

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

 

Flows were at 8,500 cfs on May 4^th and 8,000 cfs on May 7^th during sampling.

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

 

Both May 4^th and May 7^th were sunny and warm.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

On May 7^th 2 boats were observed fishing near the Gaston Boating Access Area, one boat was fishing above Hwy 48 near the tail race, the other went downstream below the power lines.

On April 27^th ~100 trailers were observed at the Weldon Boating Access Area.

 

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

This week in our American Shad sample, we saw fewer individuals and they were smaller than in previous weeks. Many of the American Shad had already spawned with only a handful of gravid fish collected. We will be sampling again at the Gaston Boating Access Area on May 14^th.

Striped Bass continue to arrive on the spawning grounds, numbers were similar to last week, a wide range of sizes was present; however, small males made up the majority of the sample. Division of Marine Fisheries put 30 high reward tags on harvestable length Striped Bass worth $100 on Monday the 4^th. Flows have been stable for about a week resulting in increased water temperatures, leading to peak spawning activity in the next couple weeks. We will continue to monitor Striped Bass on the spawning grounds in the coming weeks.

Roanoke River Creel Survey Information:

 

During the first week of the “Catch and Release” Striped Bass season on the Roanoke River, anglers reported good to great catches of Striped Bass downstream of Weldon. In some cases, anglers started casting as soon as they left the boat ramp area and were catching Striped Bass between the Weldon Boating Access Area and “Big Rock”. In 32 interviews in one creel session, anglers interviewed reported catching and releasing 1,147 Striped Bass. In the following creel session on Thursday, another 32 interviews were conducted and anglers interviewed reported catching and releasing 1,521 Striped Bass!  Many of the striped bass caught and released were less than 18 inches along with a good number of Striped Bass estimated to be in the 18 to 22 inch size range, some Striped Bass estimated in the protected slot size of 22 to 27 inch and a few greater than 27 inches were reported being caught this week.

 

Anglers are encouraged to engage in successful catch and release practices in efforts to minimize additional stress on Striped Bass during their spawning period. Besides the requirement of a single barbless hook in the Roanoke River, anglers should consider to keep the fish in the water when removing hooks for a quick release. When landing the fish, we suggest using a knotless mesh or rubber mesh net. Taking pictures of your catch is a rewarding opportunity and we encourage smiles by the angler and holding the fish in horizontal position as to support the weight of the fish with two points of contact. Return the fish to the water as quickly as possible to spawn and fight another day!

 

Anglers should be aware that flows on the Roanoke are subject to change at any time, although the flows are projected to be lower this coming week.

 

   

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Back to Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports

• Striped Bass Fishing in North Carolina
• Striped Bass 2017 Regulation Card (PDF)
• Electrofishing information
• Shad and River Herring Identification Handout (PDF)
• REPORT a Tagged Striped Bass
• Striped Bass Reward Poster - (PDF)
• Monitoring and Surveys Reports

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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.

• Roanoke Rapids
• Halifax
• Oak City
• Jamesville
• Hwy 45
• Projected Flow Releases from Roanoke Rapids Dam to Roanoke River

Katy Potoka, NCWRC Fisheries Biologist, with 40 lb. female Striped Bass collected May 11, 2015 from the Roanoke River near the Weldon Boating Access Area. This Striped Bass was one of two broodstock sent to our Watha State Fish Hatchery and utilized to fulfill our statewide Bodie Bass (Hybrid Striped Bass) production requests for the 2015 season.