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BASIC INFORMATION:
River sampled:

Cape Fear 

Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:

Michael Fisk

Clint Morgeson

Madison Polera

Zack Lemonds


Date of sample:

5/18/2016

5/19/2016

 

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

Lock and Dam 1      

Lock and Dam 2

Buckhorn Tailrace

 

69-71 F 

 

Boat ramp(s) used to access river:

Lock and Dam 1      

Lock and Dam 2

Primitive canoe launch at Buckhorn Tailrace

 

Species (spp) information:

·         Spp. captured:

American Shad        126

Striped Bass             57

 

·         Size range by spp:

American Shad        13-22 in

Striped Bass             15-26 in

 

·         Max size for spp:

American Shad        22 in, 3.0 lbs

Striped Bass             26 in, 9 lbs

 

·         Sex ratio by spp:

American Shad        M:F     1.7:1

Striped Bass             M:F     4.6:1

 

·         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 between 6,500 and 7,000 cfs at Lock and Dam 1 throughout the week from all the rain. The gage at Lillington was around 4,400 cfs while sampling Buckhorn Tailrace.

 

Weather conditions on sampling date?

60s-70s, rain

 

Your observations of other people fishing on the river:

A few anglers were fishing for catfish this week.

 

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

American Shad continue to be found in large numbers in the river. And, we are still collecting American Shad eggs in our egg sampling surveys. We observed American shad in poor condition and some 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.

 

Our weekly catch rates of Striped Bass were the highest yet for 2016 as we collected 50 Striped Bass at Lock and Dam 1, 4 Striped Bass at Buckhorn Tailrace, and 3 Striped Bass at Lock and Dam 2. Spawning for Striped Bass appears complete by the lack of gravid females and the absence of eggs in our collections although many fish can be found downstream of Lock and Dam 1 likely due to the increased flows and ideal water temperatures. 

 

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.

Back to Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports 

NCWRC Wildlife Enforcement Officer Zack Lemonds holding a Striped Bass collected on the Cape Fear River at Buckhorn Tailrace on May 19, 2016.