Spotted Seatrout Creel and Gill Net Data from TPWD

[Jerkyourcroaker]

FISHINFREAK asked a question in the "Big or Small" thread about the decline in large (25" or greater) speckled trout. I thought I had some TPWD research on the subject but all I had was the information I posted sometime back on "Catch and Release Mortality of Speckled Trout" .

I sent an e/mail to TPWD last week and asked for data on the state of the Texas speckled trout population. Here is some of the data I got in reply. I apologize in advance for the long post. There is some good data here though that I think is worth a read.

Coastwide Landings of Speckled Trout: This slide shows landings from private recreational anglers (orange line) and guide trips (blue line) since 1984. The combined total in 2011 was the 2nd highest on record. The data is from the TPWD Creel Surveys.




This is a graph of the size distribution of the fish surveyed in 2011. The majority of the fish are in the 15" to 17" size range though there are survey results at 30+".




This graph shows the percentage of 25" or greater trout caught as a percentage of total landings (the total landings are shown in graph 1). Note the drop off in large trout landings starting in 2008/9




According to TPWD, 25" trout are typically 4 years old or older. The drop off in large trout we are seeing currently correlates to a drop off in the gill net survey data from 2008ish - see graph below.




The dropoff in numbers in 2008,9 and 10 was registered throughout the mid coast and represent both wet and dry years. There is no consensus on what caused the dip. The good news is that the numbers are on the way back up.

It takes 2 years for a female trout to reach 15". Coming out of the 2008-2010 slump, anglers are currently seeing high numbers of throw backs and barely keepers. Anglers should start to see a 'normal' distribution of large trout on stringers in the winter of 2013/14, the dip plus 4 years (that last sentence is my editorial, not a position from TPWD).

Looking at the overall number of landings (the 2011 totals were the 2nd highest on record), I will stick with the advice given to me by my grandad - 'keep what you can eat, throw the rest back for tomorrow'

JYC - amateur fisheries guy

[Little Boat]

Thanks for all that information. Good stuff.

[TTU Wader]

Thanks for the info. If you see the fish that come in at the weigh ins at the Spectacular trout tournaments it's hard to argue and say that the big trout numbers are down when guys are consistently bringing in 18+ lb stringers

[coachlaw]

What's the difference between private and party?

[Jerkyourcroaker]

Private represents anglers. Party is anglers with guides. As I understand it, you add them together to get the total fish landed as approximated by the creel surveys.

[Tiny]

Who needs a speckled trout anyways? A buddy and I went out in his new boat, he just had to catch some fish, wind was blowing 50 outta the south, so we parked it by the concrete ship, casted out some dead and came back with about 25 1-1.5# sand trouts... talk a bout some fine eating..

[Auer Power]

Interesting.. Thanks!

[GoldSpoonGeneral]

meh i think they should close the water for about a year.



BRB gonna get some popcorn.

[Oleander Kayaker]

Interesting info, thanks!

But, what is the sample size/ population of fishermen? If there's more folk out there fishing (potlickers included), can you deduce that there is a decline in the available fish population to be caught?

My thesis is that there are more fishermen out there, and it's growing, due to the baby boom and the increasing population of folk with leisure time (for a variety of reasons). This'll put more pressure on the fish population.

[Jerkyourcroaker]

But, what is the sample size/ population of fishermen? If there's more folk out there fishing (potlickers included), can you deduce that there is a decline in the available fish population to be caught?

I think the way that works is that they survey anglers catch at docks and cleaning tables up and down the coast and then extrapolate that data to approximate the total number of fish landed. I don't know if they use license data or some other mechanism to approximate the total number of anglers.

My thesis is that there are more fishermen out there, and it's growing, due to the baby boom and the increasing population of folk with leisure time (for a variety of reasons). This'll put more pressure on the fish population.

If you look at the total landings in the first graph, there is no question that there are more fish being harvested. TPWD did not pursue changing bag limits at their commission meeting last year because the juvenile fish population has been so strong the last couple of years. If the landings continue to rise and the gill net surveys show any weakness, it would not surprise me if TPWD proposes a 5 fish limit statewide.

[clemonstime]

Interesting info. Thanks for posting.

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks JYC. Great info! (Yes, I am a nerd.)

[Rollo]

Thanks good to know!