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BASIC INFO:
River sampled:
Roanoke River
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Jeremy McCargo, Katy Potoka and Kevin Dockendorf
Date of sample:
May 19, 2014-Striped Bass
May 22, 2014-American Shad
Area(s) of river sampled, and water temps:
Striped Bass-Around Weldon from the Gap to below Big Rock (67-68oF)
American Shad-Highway 48 to Powerlines near Gaston (69-70oF)
Boat ramp(s) used to access river:
Striped Bass-Weldon BAA
American Shad-Gaston BAA
Striped Bass 5/19: Species (spp) information:
· Spp. captured:
Striped Bass
· Numbers by spp:
348 Striped Bass
· Size range by spp:
Males: 12-36 inches
Females: 17-33 inches
· Max size for spp:
Male: 36 inches, 20 pounds
· Sex ratio by spp:
338 males, 10 females (34:1 males to females)
· Were the fish tagged?
Yes, 340 fish were tagged by DMF staff with yellow internal anchor tags
American Shad 5/22: Species (spp) information:
American Shad
77 American Shad
Males: 13-21 inches
Females: 18-22 inches
Female: 22 inches, 3.5 pounds
39 males, 38 females (1:1 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.):
Due to heavy rains last week, flows increased to 15,400 cfs on May 17th and remained at this level for our sampling events this week.
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. Anglers were catching stripers throughout the day, but those we spoke to indicated catches were sporadic. Fly fishermen and anglers using live bait and artificial lures all seemed to be catching fish. Fishing activity was light near the Gaston BAA on Thursday, but there were a few anglers out looking for largemouth bass, sunfish and catfish.
Comments to anglers about your sampling results, and fishing-related conclusions that can be drawn from your data:
Our catch of Striped Bass dropped from last week. The vast majority of the Striped Bass we sampled were males, indicating the peak of the spawn is most likely past. River flows have risen and water temperatures decreased somewhat over the last week. Although the peak of the spawn is over, current conditions may keep some stripers, especially males, on the spawning grounds for a short while longer. However, this week’s sample will be our final Striped Bass sample for spring 2014.
American shad continued to be fairly abundant on the spawning grounds this week. Our electrofishing catch rate for American Shad was around 73 fish/hour, which was a slight decrease from the previous week (87 fish/hour). We continued to see a good number of female American Shad this week, and many of the females were gravid, indicating they are still spawning. American Shad will likely remain on the spawning grounds as conditions allow.
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.
Commission fisheries biologist, Jeremy McCargo, with a female American Shad collected from the Roanoke River near Gaston BAA.