Creel Census of Sportsfishermen at a Warm Water Discharge into Galveston Bay, Texas

Abstract

Creel census data were taken at the warmwater discharge site of Houston Power and Lighting Company's P.H. Robinson Generating Station during June 1977 through February 1978. Fifty five surveys were conducted during which 535 sportfishermen were interviewed. These fishermen caught 1,675 fish of which 527 were returned in creels. Sea catfish (Arius felis) were caught in high numbers during the summer through early winter, but were discarded by most fishermen. Sheephead (Archosargus probatocephalus) were caught in high numbers during November. Highest catch rates for sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius) occurred during July, October, November and December. Catch rates for Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus) were good from June through October, but were low during the winter. Black drum (Pogonias cromis) were caught during all months but June. Catch rates for red drum (Scianops ocellata) were highest from November through January. Comparison with creel census data taken by Landry and Strawn (1973) at the Robinson outfall area indicated that summer catch rates of popular game fish had increased. Summer increases in catch rates since the Landry and Strawn (1973) census are attributed to lower water temperatures in the discharge area. Consistant fishing pressure throughout the year reflects good catch rates which occurred at the discharge canal.