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BASIC INFORMATION:
River sampled:
Cape Fear
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Michael Fisk
Clint Morgeson
Madison Polera
Landon Zimmers
J.T. Windham
Date of sample:
5/11/2016
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Lock and Dam 1
Lock and Dam 2
Lock and Dam 3
69-72 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Species (spp) information:
· Spp. captured:
· American Shad 126
· Striped Bass 24
· Size range by spp:
· American Shad 13-21 in
· Striped Bass 15-29 in
· Max size for spp:
· American Shad 21 in, 3.9 lbs
· Striped Bass 29 in, 7 lbs
· Sex ratio by spp:
· American Shad M:F 4:1
· Striped Bass M:F 3:1
· Were the fish tagged?
Striped Bass were tagged with internal anchor tags in cooperation with a NCDMF tagging study. We also collected fin clips from Striped Bass for genetic analysis as part of our ongoing project to evaluate Striped Bass hatchery contribution in the Cape Fear River. Along with sampling adult fish on spawning migrations in the Cape Fear River, we are also conducting egg surveys at each Lock and Dam to learn more about Striped Bass as well as American Shad spawning activity.
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
The river has been flowing around 5,000 cfs throughout the week from all the recent rain. The water was turbid with small debris from the increased flows.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
80’s, scattered thunderstorms
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
A few anglers were still fishing for shad while the rest were targeting Largemouth Bass and catfish.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
The majority of shad collected this week were spawned out and in very poor condition. We observed some shad floating in the water dead. A portion of the Cape Fear population of American Shad are semelparous, meaning they spawn once and then die. This spawning strategy is observed more frequently in southern spawning populations, where the Cape Fear has the highest incidence in North Carolina. Striped Bass were still being collected at Lock and Dam 1 with very few fish found upstream. Collections were dominated by males with some fish showing signs of being spawned out.
2016 Cape Fear River Creel Survey Information: Between May 2- May 8
Doug Mumford of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared some creel survey information collected by creel clerks assigned to access areas on the Cape Fear 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.
Creel Clerks in the Neuse, Cape Fear, and Tar/Pamlico indicated that recent heavy rains resulted in a great deal of run-off and muddy water. Fishing success was greatly impacted by muddy water and catches declined. A few American shad were taken in the upper regions of all systems along with sunfish, largemouth bass and a few stripers. As the waters clears fishing should improve. Shad catches are declining but anglers still have time to get in a few more trips.
Shad and Striped Bass Regulations for the Cape Fear River
The daily bag limit is 10 shad per angler, of which five (5) may be an American (white) shad on the Cape Fear River and its tributaries.
Striped Bass may not be possessed in the Cape Fear River or its tributaries.
NCWRC Commissioners Landon Zimmer (left) and J.T. Windham with two Striped Bass collected in the Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam 1 on May 11, 2016.