This website is a testing environment only. The contents of this site are not refreshed regularly and should not be relied upon.
For up-to-date information on North Carolina licenses, regulations and other wildlife resources, please visit the agency’s website NCWildlife.org.
River sampled:
Tar River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Kirk Rundle and Bill Collart
Date of sample:
5/13/2014
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
From the WRC Bell’s Bridge boat ramp downstream to the town of Tarboro boat ramp
Water temperature was 22 C, approximately 75 F
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
WRC Bell’s Bridge boat ramp
Species (spp) information:
· Spp. captured:
Striped Bass
· Numbers by spp: 15 Striped Bass
· Size range by spp: Striped Bass ~ 17-30”
· Max size for spp: Striped Bass – Female ~ 10 pounds
· Sex ratio by spp: Striped Bass ~ 30% females
· Were the fish tagged? Yes, the Striped Bass were tagged with yellow DMF anchor tags.
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
River level and other water quality observations (turbity, etc.):
At time of sampling, Tar River was at moderately low levels making navigation and sampling somewhat difficult. Turbidity was low, particularly for the Tar River. Still, river levels on the Tar can change dramatically and boaters should be very careful of submerged hazards and aware of navigation capabilities of their vessel on the Tar River.
Weather conditions on sampling date?
Hot and sunny.
Your observations of other people fishing on the river:
There were several anglers fishing, most appeared to be targeting Striped Bass and American Shad.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
We were targeting Striped Bass in our sampling, yet did observe moderate numbers of American Shad also. Anglers targeting American or “white” Shad should try fishing in the vicinity of Battle Park or near the Hwy 97 canoe access area, yet should be able to find fish downstream to Tarboro. Anglers targeting Striped Bass should be able to find fish in the vicinity of Tarboro, yet overall numbers are down considerably over the past week.
Due to the decrease in our catch rates and the increasing water temperatures this will likely be our last anadromous fish sample and report for the Tar River for spring 2014. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to next spring!
Angler fishing for striped bass in the Tar River upstream of Tarboro on May 13, 2014.