Mineral Wells Reservoir 2022 Survey Report
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Mineral Wells Reservoir - 2022 Survey Report
Prepared by Dan Bennett and Greg Cummings
Inland Fisheries Division - Denison District
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 Mineral Wells Reservoir were surveyed in 2022 using electrofishing and trap netting. Historical data are presented with the 2022 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
Mineral Wells Reservoir is a 440-acre impoundment constructed in 1920 on Rock Creek, a tributary to the Brazos River in Parker County. It was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) and is located at the east edge of Mineral Wells. Historically, the reservoir was used as a water supply and recreation area for the Fort Wolters Army Base. It is located within the boundaries of Lake Mineral Wells State Park and is now used for recreation and emergency water supply for the City of Mineral Wells. Chl-a measurements were not available for Mineral Wells Reservoir, however historical Secchi disk transparency suggested eutrophic conditions as per Carlson’s Trophic State Index (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 2022). Structural habitat consisted of rocks and boulders and natural shoreline. Water level remained within three feet of the conservation elevation (863 feet above mean sea level), since 2015 (Figure 1). Other descriptive characteristics for Mineral Wells Reservoir are in Table 1.
Management History
Important sport fish included Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish. Sport fish have been managed with state-wide regulations with a rod-and-reel only exception and a five-fish bag limit for catfish. Artificial fish habitat has been installed around fishing piers and in additional locations available on the TPWD interactive fish habitat map (https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/fish_attractors.phtml). Florida Bass and ShareLunker Bass were last stocked in 2012, and Channel Catfish were stocked in 2018.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Bluegill relative abundance was high. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was near the historical average. Longear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Warmouth, and Redear Sunfish also contribute to a robust forage base.
- Catfishes: Channel Catfish were last stocked in 2018. Targeted sampling for catfish was not conducted in 2023, but multiple catfish were observed during electrofishing for bass and prey species. A waterbody record Channel Catfish (11.6 lbs) was also submitted in 2020.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rate was the highest on record. Bass up to 20-inches were collected, and tournament records document bass up to 6.9 lbs.
- Crappies: White Crappie were the dominant species, but two Black Crappie were collected for the first time since 1992. Most fish collected were of legal length.
Management Strategies
- Continue promoting fishing opportunities available at Mineral Wells Reservoir.
- Investigate extending the boat ramp should lake levels decline.
- Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
- Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets and electrofishing in 2026.
- Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2026.
- Consider supplementally stocking Channel Catfish if surplus advanced fingerlings are available.
- Continue to monitor seasonal weeknight tournament results for catches of larger bass.
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