Lake Findley - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by John Findeisen and Greg Binion
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-E, Mathis, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Findley were surveyed in 2012 using hoop netting, electrofishing, and trap netting. The spring gill netting was not conducted because the city of Alice forbid the use of TPWD boats with outboard motors greater than 15 horsepower on the reservoir. Historical data are presented with the 2012 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 Findley is a 247-acre reservoir located on Chilitipin Creek, in the San Fernando Creek Basin, one mile north of Alice. It receives water from Chilitipin Creek and from Lake Corpus Christi via pipeline, and is used for water supply and recreation. Shoreline access is adequate, whereas challenged and boat access was inadequate. There are no challenged specific facilities and no improved boat ramp. The boat ramp is located on the west side of the reservoir but can only accommodate small vessels. There is a 15 horsepower outboard maximum size limit on the reservoir (Code of Ordinances Section 62-147). The lake is shallow and turbid with substrate comprised of small rock, clay, sand, and silt. Littoral habitat at the time of sampling consisted of spatterdock, fallen timber, and rip rap.

Management History

Important sport fish species include Largemouth Bass, Palmetto Bass, Blue and Channel Catfish, and Crappie. Palmetto Bass stockings continued in the spring 2009 and 2011. The 2009 management plan focused on stocking Palmetto Bass, publicizing the new Blue Catfish population, and conducting an electrofishing survey in 2010 to document status of Largemouth Bass and stock if necessary. Palmetto Bass were stocked in 2009 and 2011 at 7.5/acre and 12.2/acre, respectively. Both stockings were reported in the Alice Echo News. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to look for Palmetto Bass with only one Palmetto Bass collected. Press releases regarding the Blue Catfish fishery were prepared and distributed to the Alice Echo News. Largemouth Bass were readily observed during the Palmetto Bass electrofishing survey.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Forage species included Threadfin and Gizzard shads and several sunfish species. Shad were the predominant forage in the reservoir. All forage species were of sufficient sizes to be prey for adult predator species.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel catfishes were historically present in the reservoir. Blue Catfish were first collected from Lake Findley in fall 2004.
• Palmetto bass: Palmetto Bass were stocked in 2009 and 2011. A single Palmetto Bass was collected in the spring 2010 electrofishing survey and was 12-inches in total length. Anecdotal reports suggest anglers were catching Palmetto Bass.
• Largemouth bass: Numerous Largemouth Bass were observed in the spring 2010, Palmetto Bass electrofishing survey but were not measured or weighed. One Largemouth Bass was collected during the fall 2012 electrofishing survey.
• Crappie: Both Black and White Crappie were present in the reservoir, with Black Crappie being the predominant species.

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage fish populations under current regulations.
• Remove Lake Findley from the 4-year rotation list of reservoirs because of its size (<500 acres) and the inability to use current fisheries sampling gear due to the horsepower restrictions.

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