Bayou Systems Survey -- TPWD Inland Fisheries 2
This questionnaire is part of an official research study being conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) concerning the lower Sabine and Neches rivers, and the Taylor/Big Hill/Hillebrandt bayou systems.  Recently, black bass tournaments  have increased on these waters, prompting complaints from tournament anglers regarding a perceived low abundance of largemouth bass longer than the current 14-inch minimum length limit.  During the summer of 2015, TPWD estimated size structure, age structure, and mortality rates of largemouth bass from these systems and determined that less restrictive length limits could be biologically appropriate.   Information gained from this questionnaire will help TPWD  make an informed decision regarding a potential harvest regulation change that would be consistent with the needs and desires of all anglers.  Your cooperation is important for the successful completion of this research study.  Your responses will not be connected with your name and all information you provide will remain strictly confidential.

If you would like to see a map of the bayou locations, please click on the following link:  http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/rivers/images/bayoumap.jpg 

If you have any questions, please contact Todd Driscoll, District Fisheries Biologist (409) 698-9114; todd.driscoll@tpwd.texas.gov
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1.  During the previous 12 months, how many days have you fished for largemouth bass in the Lower Sabine (including Cow and Adams bayous)? *
2.  During the previous 12 months, how many days have you fished for largemouth bass in the Lower Neches? *
3.  During the previous 12 months, how many days have you fished for largemouth bass in the Taylor/Big Hill/Hillebrandt bayous? *
4.  How many black bass tournament events have you fished in the Lower Sabine (including Cow and Adams bayous) during the previous 12 months? *
5.  How many black bass tournament events have you fished in the Lower Neches during the previous 12 months? *
6.  How many black bass tournament events have you fished in the Taylor/Big Hill/Hillebrandt bayous during the previous 12 months? *
7.  Overall, how satisfied are you with bass fishing on these waters? *
8(a).  Current data indicate that largemouth bass in these three systems are relatively abundant, but have slow growth and high mortality rates.  On average, largemouth bass reach 14 inches in length at 3.9 years.  For reference, largemouth bass at Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend reservoirs reach 14 inches at approximately 2.5 years.  Slow growth and high mortality rates are common to coastal estuary populations (primarily due to influences of variable salinity and availability of quality forage) and result in few fish of larger sizes.  Only 7% of the largemouth bass we sampled from these three systems were > 14 inches in length.  TPWD could manage the largemouth bass populations using various regulations to provide fishing opportunities based on what anglers prefer.  The current 14-inch minimum length limit is the Texas statewide standard regulation, but less restrictive regulations could be implemented to increase harvest opportunities and fish available for tournament weigh-ins.  Please RANK the regulations in questions 8a, 8b, and 8c according to your most preferred (1) to your least preferred (3) of the following options.  To begin, RANK your preference for THE CURRENT 14-INCH MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT WITH A 5 FISH DAILY BAG.  Bass 14 inches or greater may be retained. *
Most preferred
Least preferred
8(b).  Please rank your preference for A 12- INCH MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT WITH A 5 FISH DAILY BAG.  Bass 12 inches or greater may be retained.  Regulation would provide increased harvest opportunity and fish available for tournament weigh-ins, but may reduce the current size-quality of the population. *
Most preferred
Least preferred
8(c).  Please rank your preference for NO MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT WITH A 5 FISH DAILY BAG.  Bass of any length may be retained.  Regulation would provide the most harvest opportunity and fish available for tournament weigh-ins, but the current size-quality of the population may be further reduced. *
Most preferred
Least preferrred
9.  Not including largemouth bass retained for tournament weigh-ins, which one of the following best describes your current harvest practices at these three systems with the current 14-inch minimum length limit? *
10.  If the harvest regulation was changed to either a no minimum or 12-inch minimum, what effect would this have on your harvest practices (not including largemouth bass retained for tournament weigh-ins)? *
11.  If the harvest regulation was changed to either a no minimum or 12-inch minimum, what effect would this have on your participation in black bass tournaments? *
Please provide your name (first and last)
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