Lost Creek Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

Prepared by Mark Howell and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-E, Wichita Falls, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lost Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2010 using trap nets and electrofishing and in 2011 using gill nets. A March – May creel survey was performed in 2008 to examine angler effort and harvest preferences for largemouth bass. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a reservoir management plan based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lost Creek Reservoir is a 385-acre impoundment located on Lost Creek, a tributary of the West Fork of the Trinity River approximately 58 miles south of Wichita Falls. It has a primarily rocky shoreline with flooded terrestrial vegetation. Aquatic vegetation can be found in the littoral zone. Lost Creek water quality was good with very little turbidity.

Management History

Historically important sport fish include channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass and white crappie. The largemouth bass minimum length limit was reduced from 16 inches to the statewide 14 inch regulation on September 1, 2003. Stocking of advanced size channel catfish occurred in 2006 and 2008. Threadfin shad were stocked at the reservoir in 2008 and 2009 in an effort to boost the amount of available prey.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The gizzard shad catch rate was below average for the reservoir, but gizzard shad abundance has historically been poor. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) for bluegill was the second highest CPUE since random sampling became standard. Green sunfish and longear sunfish help supplement the prey base. One threadfin shad was sampled in 2010.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish abundance decreased from the 2007gill net survey. However, a desirable length range of 14 to 22 inches was sampled in 2011. The reservoir was stocked in 2008 with 3,700 advanced channel catfish fingerlings averaging 9 inches total length. Flathead catfish have historically been present in the reservoir and are still present as evidenced by two flathead catfish sampled during the 2011 gill net survey.
• White bass: White bass remained present in relatively low abundance with lengths ranging from 12 to 16 inches. This species was illegally introduced by the public in 1994. The reproducing population puts an increased demand on the somewhat limited prey base.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass had the highest electrofishing catch rate recorded since 1993. The catch rate of legal bass increased more than double from the previous survey. Body condition, as measured by relative weight was improved for legal length bass compared to 2006.
• White crappie: The catch rate for this species was the highest recorded since 1993, topping the previous best from the last survey in 2006. Relative abundance appears to be increasing and anglers are now starting to target and harvest crappie, although harvest and effort are still relatively low. All of the crappie inch classes showed desirable relative weights.

Management Strategies

• Conduct general monitoring by using trap nets, gill nets and electrofishing during 2014 and 2015.
• Continue alternate year stockings of advanced channel catfish at the rate of 10 per acre if available from state hatcheries.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program