Lake Athens - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Jacob D. Norman, David Smith, and Quintin Dean
Inland Fisheries Division — Tyler South District

This is the authors' summary from a 31-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Athens were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed from June 2020 – May 2021 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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 Athens is a 1,799-acre impoundment located on Flatt Creek in the Neches River Basin approximately 5 miles east of Athens, Texas. Primary water uses included municipal water supply and recreation. Water level has remained within 2.5 feet of conservation pool since 2014. Lake Athens has moderate to high productivity. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline, submersed and emergent vegetation and boat docks.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. The length limit for Largemouth Bass was changed in 1996 from the statewide 14-inch minimum length to a 14- to 21-inch slot-length limit. Giant salvinia and crested floating heart were identified in Lake Athens in early 2018 and is currently being managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Aquatic Habitat Enhancement (AHE) team.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present and provided the bulk of the reservoir’s prey base. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was low and most were too large to be available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was moderate and most were less than 6-inches long.
• Channel Catfish: Lake Athens contains a low-density Channel Catfish population and no directed sampling efforts were conducted for catfish; few anglers targeting catfish have been documented through prior creel surveys.
• White Bass: Lake Athens contains a low-density White Bass population and no directed sampling efforts were conducted for White Bass. While directed effort for White Bass was not documented during the 2020/2021 creel survey, anglers reported catching limited numbers of White Bass while targeting other species.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant and displayed both a balanced size structure and desired body condition. Largemouth Bass growth to legal length was adequate (average age at 14 inches was 2.4 years). Largemouth Bass were the most popular species targeted, accounting for 93% of all angling effort.
• Crappie: Black Crappie were present in the reservoir and historically have provided a popular fishery. Crappies were the second-most-sought species during the 2020/2021 creel. A few White Crappie were documented during the 2020/2021 creel survey, but very few exist in the reservoir.

Management Strategies

Continue managing Largemouth Bass under the 14- to 21-inch protective slot and all other sportfish under statewide regulations. Monitor aquatic vegetation with annual vegetation surveys; adjust the permitted vegetation treatment footprint as needed, to maintain lake wide aquatic vegetation coverage at 15-25%. Stock Lone Star Bass to maintain the potential catch of trophy Largemouth.