B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division - Jasper District
Brookeland, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 33-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2018 using gill netting. 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

B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir was impounded in 1951 on the Neches River; other tributaries include the Angelina River and Wolf, Sandy, Spring, and Rush creeks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the controlling authority; primary uses are to regulate intermittent water releases from Sam Rayburn Reservoir, produce hydropower, and provide recreational opportunities. At conservation pool (82.5 feet mean sea level), B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir covers 10,687 acres and has a shoreline length of 160 miles. Mean depth is 4 feet and littoral areas (< 15 feet) comprised 95 percent of the reservoir. Boat access is excellent, with 11 access points and adequate parking at each. Bank access is provided by two lighted fishing piers at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park. Most of the land around the reservoir is used for timber production.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, crappies, and catfishes. Non-native vegetation has been problematic in the reservoir and included salvinia (both common and giant), hydrilla, alligatorweed, and water hyacinth. The USACE conducted a water level draw down from May 2006 through June 2007 to reduce vegetative coverage. Since 2008, the USACE has funded and managed extensive herbicide treatments in cooperation with the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LVNA), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and private applicators. In January 2010, the USACE conducted a short term winter draw down during a freeze event to further reduce problematic vegetative coverage. Blue and Channel Catfish fingerlings were stocked following the water level draw down that occurred during 2006 and 2007 to improve recruitment.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was low, and 34% of Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was low, with no fish observed over 6-inches long.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were present in the reservoir. Since 2014, Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish abundance has slightly increased. Blue Catfish was the predominate species.
• Temperate basses: White bass were present but abundance was low.
• Black basses: Spotted Bass were present in low numbers. Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant and in good condition. Size structure was relatively similar over the last three surveys; most fish were < 14 inches in length.
• Crappies: White Crappie and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir, with White Crappie as the predominate species.

Management Strategies

Continue to manage the fishery with statewide harvest regulations. Continue to monitor trends of vegetative coverage through annual aquatic vegetation surveys (2018-2021). Conduct standard population monitoring with fall electrofishing and trap net surveys in 2021, and a gill net survey in 2022.

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