July, August, September 2013
Beaver Tailwater
Annual Population Sample - The annual population sample on Beaver Tailwater (BVTW) was
conducted on the 26th of September, 2013 by the Trout Management Program (TMP) and
District 1-Fisheries personnel. Although the data from this sample has not been analyzed, a
few preliminary observations can be made. A total of 542 rainbow trout were collected during
the sample. Overall, catch rates of rainbow trout in September 2013 (180 trout/h) were similar
to levels observed from 2007 to 2012 (range 157-182 trout/h). The average length of rainbow
trout collected in 2013 (11.4 inches) was similar to rainbow trout collected in 2012 (11.6
inches). A total of 418 brown trout were also collected during the sample. Overall, catch rates
of brown trout in September 2013 (139 trout/h) were much higher than during samples
conducted from 2009-2012 (range 28-65 trout/h). Most likely, this can be attributed to the fact
that the 2013 stocking of brown trout occurred in August, instead of in November or December
like in previous years. Not including brown trout stocked in August, the overall catch rate was
86 trout/h. The average length of brown trout collected in 2013 (9.9 inches) was lower than in
September 2012 (12.8 inches). The mean length of all brown trout, not including fish stocked
in August, was 11.8 inches. More results from this sample will be provided in upcoming
newsletters.
Fingerling Trout Evaluation - Since June, the Trout Management Program has continued its
efforts aimed at evaluating the performance of fingerling rainbow trout stocked into Beaver
Tailwater. Approximately 8,000 McConaughy strain and 8,000 Shasta strain rainbow trout
fingerlings were marked and stocked in July 2012. During the last sample (on July 31 st), we
collected 15 McConaughy strain individuals which averaged 10.2 inches inches; no domestic
strain individuals were collected during the sample. One domestic strain (~10.2 inches) and 22
McConaughy strain individuals (average 11.1 inches) were collected during the annual
population sample in September. Overall, the two strains have increased approximately 6.7
and 7.7 inches since they were stocked in July 2012. Further sampling will be required to
estimate approximate rates of survival and growth exhibited by these fingerling cohorts and
whether those rates differ between strains.
Bull Shoals & Norfork Tailwaters
Minimum Flow Implementation – The big news
on Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters over the
last few months has been the implementation of
minimum flow from these dams. On July 1st,
2013 minimum flow was initiated on Bull Shoals.
The additional release of 590 cubic feet per
second (cfs) through one of the existing turbines
combined with the existing flow from the house
turbine and dam leakage (210 cfs) will result in a
target minimum flow of 800 cfs when water is
not being released for hydropower or flood control operations.
At Norfork, the additional 185 cfs for minimum flow
could not be released an existing turbine without
damage to the unit. Therefore, a siphon tube was
constructed through the dam to deliver this release.
This volume coupled with existing flows from the
house unit, leakage, and the Norfork National Fish
Hatchery will provide an overall target flow of 300 cfs.
The primary benefit from minimum flow will be an
increase in continually wetted area, which will provide
not only additional habitat for trout but also the
aquatic invertebrates and sculpin that the trout feed on. Ultimately this should result in better
growth and condition for the trout. The minimum flow release from Bull Shoals Dam should
help to alleviate occasional high water temperatures in the reach between the Buffalo River
and the Norfork Tailwater.
Greers Ferry Tailwater
Brown Trout Growth & Survival Study - During the third quarter of this year, the Trout
Management Program and District-10 Fisheries continued work on a tagging study aimed at
estimating the growth and survival of brown trout in the Little Red River. Since January of this
year over 1,300 brown trout have been tagged in two different sections of the river; JFK Park Beech Island and the bottom of Mossy Special Regulations Area – Dripping Springs. Although
high water foiled sampling efforts at the lower site early in the year, crews were able to tag fish
in both areas at the end of last month. The external tags are inserted on the fish’s left side
next to the dorsal fin and are printed with a 5-digit identification number and the Trout
Management Program’s phone number. If an angler catches a tagged brown trout and harvest
it, they are asked to call in the tag number along with the date, time, and location of the catch.
If an angler catches a tagged brown trout but intend to release it, they are asked to please
write down the tag number and call it in but not to remove the tag. The cooperation of anglers
in this study is greatly appreciated. The information gained in this study will aid in evaluating
the current brown trout regulations as we revisit the Little Red River management plan next
year.
Sculpin Sampling - Sampling took place on August 14, 2013 on Greers Ferry Tailwater to
monitor the distribution of introduced sculpin. A pre-positioned shocker was placed on the
river bottom in shoal areas at JFK SRA, Beech Island, Old Cow Shoals, New Cow Shoals and
Jon’s Pocket. A total of 31 sculpin were collected resulting in a catch rate of 218 fish/hr. This
is higher than what was observed during the 2012 sample (42 fish/hr). During our routine boat
electrofishing samples we have observed sculpin in higher densities throughout the upper
sections of the tailwater.
Greers Ferry Tailwater Creel Survey – The creel survey currently being conducted on Greers
Ferry Tailwater will continue through November 2013. The creel clerk, Alice McCutcheon, has
been interviewing anglers to determine angler catch, harvest, demographics, and satisfaction.
The Civil Air Patrol has been conducting aerial angler counts by flying up and down the river
and counting the number of anglers to determine fishing pressure along the river. However,
due to the recent government shutdown the creel flights have been suspended and will likely
not resume until the shutdown has ended.
Collins Creek – An annual population sample was conducted Collins Creek on August 15,
2013. During the sample we collected and measured 668 brown trout (328 trout/hr), 99
rainbow trout (49 trout/hr), and 1 brook trout (0.5 trout/hr). The proportion of brown trout in
Collins Creek has continued to increase since 2002 (Figure 1). The mean total length of brown
trout was 2.9 inches and rainbow trout had a mean total length of 2.8 inches. The one brook
trout that was collected in the Lower section of the creek was 6.9 inches long.
Collins Creek
Brown
Rainbow
Brook
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2011 2012 2013
Figure 1. Percent of total catch of brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout on Collins Creek,
Heber Springs, AR from 2002-2013.
Spring River
Spring River Creel Survey - The first creel survey
ever to be conducted on Spring River concluded in
November 2012. Since then, the TMP has been
analyzing data from the creel survey.
Compared to other trout waters in Arkansas, the
coldwater zone of the Spring River had more fishing
pressure/mile/year than all but the Norfork and
Greers Ferry Tailwaters (Table 1). Additionally, the
Spring River had a higher percentage (52%) of nonresident anglers than Beaver Tailwater (17%),
Greers Ferry Tailwater (27%), Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwater (43%), and Narrows Tailwater
(35%).
Overall, 83% of anglers used only spinning/spincast/baitcast gear and 12% used fly fishing
gear. The remaining 5% of anglers used a combination of both spinning and fly fishing gear
during their fishing trip. Throughout the creel survey, 25% of anglers used only artificial
lures/flies while fishing the Spring River. On Spring River, 57% of anglers used only bait, and
18% of anglers used a combination of artificial lures and bait while fishing. Overall, the percent
of anglers who used bait on Spring River (57%) was higher than what was observed on Bull
Shoals Tailwater (31%), Greers Ferry Tailwater (44%), and Narrows Tailwater 31%; Table 2).
A follow-up mail survey was sent to anglers that were interviewed during the creel survey.
Anglers were asked more in-depth questions on fishing satisfaction, catch and harvest
preferences, their views on Spring River regulations, and aquatic nuisance species. So far,
63% of the delivered mail surveys have been returned and we will be soon looking at analyzing
and reporting on this data.
Data from the creel survey, mail survey, growth and survival study, and annual population
samples will aid in the development of a management plan for the Spring River. We will be
seeking stakeholder input during public meetings to help with the management plan process
Table 1. Mean annual effort (angler hours) and pressure (angler hours/mi/yr) observed during
recent Araknsas Tailwater creel surveys. Effort and pressure estimates for Narrows tailwater
are for the colwater zone only.
Trout Water
Norfork TW
Greers Ferry TW
Spring River
(coldwater)
Beaver TW
Bull Shoals TW
Spring River
Narrows TW
Creel Survey
Year(s)
2006-07
2004-06
Mean Effort
184,877
549,119
Pressure (Angler
hours/mi/yr)
41,084
18,004
2010-12
2008-10
2006-07
2010-12
2006-08
161,372
81,164
1,091,339
172,171
34,445
13,707
12,224
11,862
10,575
4,732
Table 2. Comparison of overall percent use of gear types and terminal tackle during recent
Arkansas tailwater creel surveys.
Terminal Tackle
Use
Gear Use
Creel Survey Location and
Dates
Spring River 2011-2012
Beaver TW 2008-2010
Bull Shoals TW 2006-2011
Norfork TW 2006-2011
Greers Ferry TW 2004-2006
Narrows TW 2006-2008
Spin/Spincast/Baitcast
83%
80%
84%
43%
72%
58%
Fly
Fishing
12%
17%
13%
53%
23%
41%
Bait
57%
69%
31%
63%
44%
31%
Artificial
25%
23%
43%
24%
40%
58%