Davy Crockett Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Greg Cummings and Dan Bennett
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 26-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 2017 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2018 using gill netting. Bass-only electrofishing was conducted in spring 2018. 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

Davy Crockett Reservoir is a 355-acre impoundment located on Dixon and Sandy Creeks approximately 14 miles northeast of Bonham in the Caddo National Grasslands. Davy Crockett Reservoir has high biological productivity. Habitat features consisted of open water, natural shoreline, and native aquatic vegetation (floating-leaved, emergent, submersed; greater than 40% coverage).

Management History

Important sport fish included Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. The management plan from 2013 recommended the continued stocking of advanced fingerling Channel Catfish, keeping the 14- to 18-inch slot limit for Largemouth Bass, stocking additional Threadfin Shad, boat ramp improvement, and vegetation control to increase angler bank access. Advanced fingerling Channel Catfish were stocked in 2016. The slot limit will be changed to a 16-inch maximum length limit effective 1 September 2018. Threadfin Shad were stocked in 2016 to increase the forage base in the reservoir. Solar lighting for the boat ramp has been purchased by the Forest Service but has not been installed. Habitat surveys still indicate excessive growth of aquatic vegetation.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad has increased since 2009. Electrofishing catch of Bluegills remained high, with few individuals reaching 7 inches in length.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish abundance has increased with stockings. All Channel Catfish sampled were legal size and had excellent body condition.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass abundance increased slightly from the previous survey. Regular and supplemental sampling verified bass available above 18 inches.
• Crappies: White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir. Catch rate of White Crappie was higher than the previous survey while Black Crappie was slightly lower. Both species offered legal-size fish to anglers.

Management Strategies

• The slot limit for Largemouth Bass will be changed to a 16-inch maximum length limit in September 2018.
• Conduct supplemental electrofishing survey in spring of 2022 to avoid dense vegetation and evaluate bass over 18 inches.
• Discontinue advanced fingerling Channel Catfish stockings.
• Monitor American lotus and emergent vegetation in 2019 and 2021.
• Encourage Forest Service to treat American lotus and remove emergent vegetation near the west campground.
• Encourage Forest Service to repair leaks on dam and damaged walls on spillway.
• Cooperate with the Forest Service to educate the public about invasive species.

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