Davy Crockett Reservoir 2005 Survey Report (0 B)
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Davy Crockett Reservoir - 2005 Survey Report
Prepared by Bruce Hysmith and John H. Moczygemba
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A,
Pottsboro, 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 Davy Crockett Reservoir were surveyed in 2005 using an electrofisher and trap nets and in 2006 using gill nets. Habitat was surveyed in 2005. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Davy Crockett Reservoir is a 355-acre impoundment located on Dixon and Sandy Creeks approximately 14 miles northeast of Bonham. Water level has remained within 3 feet of the spillway since 2001. Davy Crockett Reservoir has moderate, and increasing, productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of native emerged vegetation and native submerged vegetation, especially along the shoreline and in the two main bays in the upper end.
Management History
Important sport fish included channel catfish, largemouth bass, and crappies. The management plan from the 2001 survey report included a recommendation to discontinue stocking Florida largemouth bass, which were stocked in 1997-1999. After 3 consecutive years of stocking, introduction of Florida alleles into the native largemouth bass population was unsuccessful. A 14-to 18-inch slot length limit for largemouth bass was implemented in 1996. A spring and fall creel survey in 2001 revealed most anglers sought to catch largemouth bass, followed by channel catfish, and crappie. Anglers did not harvest under-the-slot largemouth bass, as expected. Overall angling pressure during the spring and fall of 2001 was low. Habitat surveys have revealed an increase in emerged and submerged vegetation in this reservoir.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was high, and over half the gizzard shad were available as prey. Electrofishing catch of bluegills was high, and they provided excellent prey.
- Channel catfish: Gill net catch of channel catfish was low, but the entire sample population was legal-size and in excellent condition. There was little evidence of recruitment of young channel catfish. Growth was good.
- Largemouth bass: Electrofishing catch of largemouth bass was lower; but because of the slot length limit, there were good numbers of fish 14 inches and larger. Largemouth bass had adequate growth rates and were in good condition.
- Crappies: Abundance was good, growth was adequate, and body condition of fish > 11 inches continued to be good for white crappie. Black crappie are routinely sampled in this reservoir, but in low numbers. A few were collected in this survey.
Management Strategies
- Stock advanced channel catfish at 12.5/acre in 2006 (if available), 2007, and 2008.
- Evaluate with routine gill net survey in 2010. Stock adult threadfin shad at 1/acre each spring from 2007 to 2009.
- Encourage U.S. Forest Service to install and maintain lighting at the boat ramp and pier.
- Conduct supplemental electrofishing for largemouth bass in fall of 2006.
- Conduct general monitoring with electrofisher, trap nets, and gill nets in 2009-2010.
- Conduct a habitat survey in 2009.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-31 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program