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BASIC INFO:

River sampled:

Tar River

 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Kirk Rundle and Evan Cartabiano

 

Date of sample:

5/10/2016      

 

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

From approximately 2 miles upstream of the WRC Bell’s Bridge boat ramp to approximately 2 miles downstream of Bell’s Bridge.

 

Water temperature was approximately 20 C, or approximately 70 F

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Bell’s Bridge WRC boat ramp.

 

Species (spp) information:

 

·         Numbers by spp: 3 Striped Bass

 

·         Size range by spp: Striped Bass 19-24”

 

·         Max size for spp: Striped Bass Female ~ 5 pounds

 

·         Sex ratio by spp: Striped Bass 66% males (2 males & 1 female)

 

·         Were the fish tagged?

The Striped Bass were tagged with DMF individually numbered anchor tags. Click the hyperlink for more information on how to Report a Tagged Striped Bass


ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:

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

At time of sampling, Tar River was extremely high and very turbid.

 

Weather conditions on sampling date? 

Warm and clear.

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river: 

There were no boat or bank anglers observed during our sampling.

 

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

Striped Bass were very difficult to sample and very few were observed due to high, turbid water.  Additionally, Striped Bass are in the later stages of the spawning season with fewer fish available.  If river levels descend to moderate levels, there should still be a few Striped Bass and American Shad available, yet things are winding down in the upper river.


2016 Tar River Creel Survey Information for Tar/Pamlico River: Between May 2-8

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. 

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 Tar River 

The daily bag limit is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad, in combination, per angler. 

Striped Bass harvest season closed on April 30, 2016. 

  Back to Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports

Evan Cartabiano, NCWRC fisheries biologist, holds a 30-pound flathead catfish collected from the Tar River in April 2016 near Bell’s Bridge. The 2016 spring spawning migration of American Shad and Striped Bass is winding down, yet Flathead Catfish are in the Tar River year-round for an opportunity to catch one!