I visited with Chris on Monday and he sent me this update of the data they have on Aransas Bay.

There is evidence that Cedar Bayou has allowed greater access for migratory species between Mesquite Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Red drum and Southern Flounder fingerlings have been documented in the Bayou after the opening (Sept. 25th, 2014).

Salinity levels in Mesquite and the Bayou have stabilized as well.

Some high tides have caused erosion of the recently dredged channels, especially in the Vinson slough / Cedar Bayou GOM convergence.

The Gulf mouth of Cedar Bayou is dynamic, changing its depth frequently.

Fall 2015 gillnet data are preliminary – they have not been fully processed and quality controlled, as such are subject to change.

Adult Seatrout are targeted with gillnets.

Spring 2015 catch rate was 0.49 fish per hour and Fall 2015 catch rate was 0.32/h.

We typically see less trout in the Fall as anglers have harvested many during the summer fishing season, and we catch them aggregating in the spring for spawning purposes.

But even though adult seatrout abundance is lower than the 33yr average, we have observed above average recruitment of juvenile fish for the last 7 years.

Red Drum:

Spring 2015 CPUE = 0.58fish/hour

Fall ’15 = 0.96/h

Bag sein catch rates of fingerling reds is way above average in 2014/15 and looks to be very high for the 2015/16 season (still underway).

We typically see red fingerlings in November – March of the following year. This is the reason the the reporting of two years.

Southern Flounder did well last winter, but this winter has been warm.

I don’t expect to see a good year class this season (Feb-March 2016).

2015 Gillnet catch rates are Spring 0.03/h

Fall 0.07/h

Regards,

Christopher

Christopher Mace Ph.D.

Ecosystem Leader – Aransas Bay Field Station

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

824 S. Fuqua St.

Rockport, TX 78382

O: (361) 729-5429

Fax: (361) 729-5457