Arlington Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

Prepared by Thomas Hungerford and Raphael Brock
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-D, Fort Worth, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Arlington Reservoir were surveyed in 2010 using an electrofisher and trap nets and in 2011 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Arlington Reservoir is a 1,939-acre impoundment constructed on Village Creek (a tributary of West Fork Trinity River) by the City of Arlington in 1957 to provide flood control, water for municipal and industrial purposes, and recreation. Arlington Reservoir is surrounded by urban development and is almost directly in the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It is approximately 3.8 miles long, 1.6 miles wide (widest point), and has a 20-mile shoreline at 550 feet mean-sea-level. In addition to run-off from the 143 square-mile watershed, an average of 30,426 acre-feet of water, purchased annually from the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), is pumped from Cedar Creek and Richland-Chambers Reservoirs. Exelon operates a natural gas power plant on the reservoir, discharging hot water on the west side of the reservoir. Angler and boat access was adequate. There are three handicap specific facilities, three boat ramps, and several banks accessible to anglers. Fishery habitat is primarily native emergent vegetation (water willow and button bush) natural along with rocky shoreline.

Management History

Important sport fishes include largemouth bass, white crappie, white bass, and channel catfish. All species have been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and threadfin shad were in great abundance in the reservoir. Bluegill were also very abundant as prey and there were some larger fish (≥ 6 inches) available for anglers. Longear sunfish were moderately abundant as well.
• Catfishes: Arlington continues to be the best channel catfish reservoir in the district. The catch rate of channel catfish nearly doubled from the past sample. Flathead catfish were present as well.
• White bass:White bass catch rates decreased greatly from the past sample, especially lacking are the smaller fish.
• Largemouth bass: The largemouth bass population has fluctuated greatly in abundance over the past three surveys. Condition factors were good with most, but not all, mean relative weights above 90.
• White crappie: The white crappie population continued to be high in abundance with quality fish available for anglers. Relative weights for crappie averaged over 100.

Management Strategies

• General monitoring with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys will be conducted in 2014-2015.
• Work with the city of Arlington while they develop their Lake Arlington Master Plan to improve fishery habitat.
• Monitor the reservoir for the spread of invasive species, specifically zebra mussels that may be introduced via recreation boats and/or a pipeline from other reservoirs within the Trinity River watershed.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program