Bridgeport Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Bennett and Greg Cummings
Inland Fisheries Division
Denison District, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 31-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Bridgeport Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 using electrofishing, trap netting and in 2018 using gill netting. Habitat, vegetation, and angler access was surveyed in 2017. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2018 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Bridgeport Reservoir is an 11,954-acre impoundment located on the West Fork Trinity River approximately 8 miles west of Bridgeport, Texas. Water level fell to 24 feet below conservation elevation before returning to full pool in 2015. Bridgeport Reservoir has increasing productivity and is now classified as eutrophic. Habitat features consisted mainly of rocky shoreline and submerged boulders. There was some standing timber and a small amount of pondweed present in the reservoir.

Management History

Important sport fish included Channel Catfish, White Bass, Palmetto Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. Palmetto Bass have been stocked since 1994 and biennially since 2002. Largemouth Bass were managed with a 14- to 18-inch slot length limit from 1993 to 2018. In a state-wide effort to consolidate regulations for Largemouth Bass, the reservoir will be managed with the 14-inch minimum length limit beginning in September 2018. Zebra mussels have infested Bridgeport Reservoir, and signage has been installed to inform the public of their establishment and risk of spread.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad were present in moderate abundance, and multiple sunfish species including Bluegill, Longear Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, and others provide adequate forage for sport fishes.
• Catfish: Bridgeport Reservoir maintains a quality Channel Catfish population with many available for harvest. Catch rate was more than double the long-term average. Blue Catfish were also collected for the first time in 2018.
• Temperate basses: White Bass were collected in moderate abundance, and Palmetto Bass stockings in 2015 and 2017 have been successful at maintaining the fishery.
• Black basses: Largemouth Bass abundance increased since the reservoir returned to the conservation elevation. Spotted Bass abundance declined from previous surveys. Smallmouth Bass were not collected in the 2017 survey.
• Crappie: White Crappie and Black Crappie were both present in the reservoir, and catch rate of White Crappie was the highest on record. Black Crappie are low in abundance.

Management Strategies

Stock Palmetto Bass fingerlings at 5/acre in 2019 and 2021, and fry in 2020 and 2022. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species. Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in 2021 and 2022. Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2021.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program