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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Roanoke River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Jeremy McCargo, Katy Potoka and Chad Thomas
Date of sample:
May 12, 2014-Striped Bass
May 15, 2014-American Shad
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Striped Bass-Around Weldon from the boat ramp to Troublefield Gut (67 - 71oF)
American Shad-Highway 48 to Powerlines near Gaston (67 - 70oF)
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Striped Bass-Weldon BAA
American Shad-Gaston BAA
Striped Bass 5/12: Species (spp) information:
· Spp. captured:
Striped Bass
· Numbers by spp:
871 Striped Bass
· Size range by spp:
Males: 11-27 inches
Females: 16-36 inches
· Max size for spp:
Female: 36 inches, ~15 pounds
· Sex ratio by spp:
792 males, 79 females (10:1 males to females)
· Were the fish tagged?
Yes, 796 fish were tagged by DMF staff with yellow internal anchor tags
American Shad 5/15: Species (spp) information:
American Shad
99 American Shad
Males: 16-21 inches
Females: 18-23 inches
Female: 23 inches, 3.7 pounds
42 males, 57 females (approximately 3:4 males to females)
No, but they were fin clipped for samples to assess stocking contribution by genetic analysis
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
Flows were relatively low on both sampling days: 5,000 cfs on Monday and 6,500 cfs on Thursday
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Sunny and warm on both days
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
Fishing activity at Weldon was relatively light on Monday. We observed anglers catching stripers throughout the day. Fly fishermen were doing well, as were those using live bait and artificial lures. Fishing activity was light near the Gaston BAA on Thursday, but there were a few anglers out looking for sunfish and catfish.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
Striped Bass were again abundant on the spawning grounds at Weldon this week. Our catch rate increased from last week, and this week’s sample will likely be the peak of our collections. The majority of our catch was male Striped Bass in the 15 to 17-inch size range. However, we also saw an increase in females in this week’s sample. Due to the recent hot weather, water temperature sharply rose over the weekend and has remained in the preferred Striped Bass spawning range of 64–72oF for the past seven days. Striped Bass have likely been spawning over the same time period, and as water temperatures continue to warm, the fish will end their spawning migration and return downstream to Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
American shad continued to be fairly abundant on the spawning grounds this week. Our electrofishing catch rate was around 87 fish/hour, which was an increase from the previous week (67 fish/hour). We collected more females than males this week and the fish were widely distributed throughout the river near Gaston. Many of the females were gravid, indicated they are still spawning, but some of the American Shad collected this week, both males and females, were completely spent and emaciated from heavy spawning activity.
Creel Survey Information
Anglers fishing at Weldon caught and released striped bass in good numbers on the upper Roanoke River, although majority of anglers provided input that majority of striped bass caught and released were small and less than 18 inches, although some anglers reported some larger size fish were caught and released during this creel period. Anglers wishing to fish for Striped Bass at Weldon should do so soon as the water temperature are at the upper range of optimal spawning temperatures and numerous spawning events, or “rock fights”, have been reported to the creel clerk. As a reminder, anglers should practice safe handling techniques when catching and releasing striped bass as warmer water temperatures lead to an increase in hooking mortality. Use a single barbless hook with any fishing method and keep the fish in the water when removing the hook while fishing for striped bass on the upper Roanoke River.
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.
Katy Potoka, NCWRC District 1 Assistant Biologist, with a large, male striped bass collected from the Roanoke River at Weldon on Monday, May 12, 2014.