Conduct an American Eel movement study
HomeNetworksPlansConduct an American Eel movement study

Project Description

Conduct an American Eel movement study on the lower Colorado and Sulphur Rivers to characterize movement patterns of yellow eel and assess outward migration patterns of silver eel.

Conservation Area

Lower Colorado River Native Fish Conservation Area, Northeast Texas Rivers Native Fish Conservation Area

NFCA Objectives

Project Hierarchy: High (i.e., timely and urgent, needs to occur within the next 1-3 years)
Estimated Cost Range: $50,000-$100,000
Project Submitted By: Stephen Curtis, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Suggested Contact: Stephen Curtis, Kevin Mayes, Jeff Quinn, Robby Maxwell, Stephen Davis

This project will further support the effort to fulfill life history data gaps for American Eel with a focus on yellow and silver eel to better understand movement patterns and genetic contribution of Texas population to panmictic population. Tagged individuals in the Sulphur River will be a part of the Red River drainage where AGFC and LDWF already have receivers deployed; lower Colorado River seems to contain a high number of eel as reported and observed during Blue Sucker sampling where a similar tracking study could be established.

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, LCRA

SWG, TPWD operating funds

Project Status

  • Suggested
  • Ongoing
  • Completed

Project Location

Lower Colorado River from Bastrop downstream to Gulf of Mexico; Sulphur River below Wright Patman Lake