Lake Winnsboro 2018 Survey Report (PDF 786.8 KB)
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Lake Winnsboro - 2018 Survey Report
Prepared by Jacob Norman and Evan Cartabiano
Inland Fisheries Division - Tyler North District
This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Lake Winnsboro were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing 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
Lake Winnsboro is an 875-acre impoundment located on Big Sandy Creek in the Sabine River Basin approximately 6 miles southwest of Winnsboro, Texas. Primary water uses included flood control and recreation. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and native emergent vegetation.
Management History
Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, crappie and Channel Catfish. Florida Largemouth Bass have been periodically stocked in the reservoir since 1974; most recently in 2015-2017. Water-willow was planted in 2010 to improve littoral habitat.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was moderate and 88% were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was moderate and all were less than 7-inches long.
- Catfishes: Channel Catfish were abundant in the reservoir and have the potential to provide angling opportunities.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant in the reservoir, and the size structure continued to suggest a balanced population. Relative weights remained good for most size classes and fish reached legal length (14 inches) in 2.5 years on average.
- Crappies: Both Black and White Crappie have historically provided a popular fishery. Conventional sampling gear (trap netting) produced inconsistent results and were discontinued in 2015. Going forward, inferences about the crappie population will be made through creel survey data.
Management Strategies
- Stock Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings at 1000/km shoreline biennially to improve trophy potential within the reservoir.
- Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
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