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Lake Corpus Christi 2006 Survey Report media download(PDF 659.3 KB)

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Lake Corpus Christi - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Todd Neahr and John Findeisen
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-E, Mathis, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Corpus Christi were surveyed in 2006 using trap nets and electrofishing, and in 2007 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

Lake Corpus Christi is located on the Nueces River approximately 20 miles northwest of Corpus Christi, Texas. The reservoir was built by the Lower Nueces Water Supply District in 1958 to provide water for Corpus Christi and other coastal bend communities. Boat access is correlated with water level. Shoreline and handicap access are limited to a few public areas around the lake. Water is typically turbid, but clears during the summer in the lower reservoir and small creek arms. The substrate is composed primarily of silt, sand, clay, and some gravel/rock. Littoral habitat consists of native aquatic vegetation, periodically flooded live and dead terrestrial vegetation, standing timber, and seasonally abundant water hyacinth.

Management History

Important sport fish include blue catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie. The management focus has been on controlling nuisance aquatic vegetation and creating additional habitat. The district worked with the City of Corpus Christi to develop and implement a water hyacinth control program. District staff created additional habitat in the form of five brush piles. In an effort to increase angling effort, maps with GPS coordinates of all brush piles were distributed at local marinas, bait stands, and Lake Corpus Christi State Park.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program