Fort Parker Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by John Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division - Waco District

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 Fort Parker Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2019 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2019 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

Fort Parker Reservoir is a 750-acre impoundment located within Fort Parker State Park in Limestone County, Texas. Water level has fluctuated moderately since 2015 although it is not formally gauged. Mean and maximum water depths are four and eight feet respectively, and the reservoir is considered hypereutrophic. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and stands of cutgrass.

Management History

Important sport fish include Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, White Crappie and Largemouth Bass. Blue Catfish were stocked most recently in 2009. Sport fish are managed with statewide regulations, except that there is no minimum length limit on catfishes, and the daily bag limit is five (in any combination); also, fishing is by pole and line only. Recent management efforts include maintaining aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage and educating constituents about the threat of AIS, especially Zebra Mussels, whenever possible.

Fish Community

It is likely that high water flow through the reservoir translocated large numbers of fish over the dam, resulting in the greatly reduced catches of most species during sampling.

• Prey species: Forage abundance was depressed overall. Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad and Bluegill were collected in low numbers.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish catch rate was above the historical average whereas catch rate of Blue Catfish was below the historical average. Body condition was good to excellent for both species.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rates were low. The 2018 electrofishing survey was the worst on record for this species and only two individuals were collected.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were collected during winter and spring trap netting and during spring gill netting. The winter trap netting catch rate was much lower than previous samples.

Management Strategies

• Continue managing sport fishes at Fort Parker Reservoir with current regulations.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of AIS and maintain appropriate signage at both access points within the park.
• Conduct electrofishing, low-pulse electrofishing and trap netting surveys in 2022.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program