Benbrook Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Thomas Hungerford, Raphael Brock, and Cynthia Holt
Inland Fisheries Division
Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 37-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Benbrook Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2022 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2022 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

Benbrook Reservoir is a 3,635-acre impoundment located on the Clear Fork of the Trinity River approximately 10 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Water level fluctuates drastically in the reservoir from year to year. Benbrook Reservoir has consistently been eutrophic. Habitat consisted of rock, gravel, natural shoreline, and standing timber.

Management History

Important sport fishes include White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfishes. The management plan from the 2018 survey report included stocking Hybrid Striped Bass fingerlings, and increased gill net sampling to improve catch of Hybrid Striped Bass. Because Largemouth Bass are the most sought-after species by anglers, Florida Largemouth Bass have also been stocked. Historically, efforts were made to increase shoreline vegetation. Plantings have included, water willow, cattail, and pickerel weed. However, the vegetation was unable to establish due to frequent and significant water level fluctuations.

Fish Community

• Prey species:Threadfin Shad continued to be abundant, but electrofishing catch rate was below reservoir average. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was below reservoir average but 80% were available as prey. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill and Longear Sunfish was higher than the previous survey. The Bluegill catch was above the reservoir average while the Longear Sunfish catch was near the reservoir average.
• Catfishes: The catch rate of Blue Catfish was slightly lower than the catch rate over the previous two surveys but well above the reservoir average. Body condition of Blue Catfish was good. The Channel Catfish catch rate was lower than previous survey. Catfishes are the fourth most soughafter species by anglers.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass were present in the reservoir. Abundance of both species appears to have been negatively affected by the introduction of Yellow Bass. White Bass catch rate was similar to previous surveys but below the reservoir average. Hybrid Striped Bass abundance continued to be low.
• Largemouth bass:Total catch of Largemouth Bass increased and population size structure was good. Largemouth Bass are the most sought-after species by anglers.
• Crappies: Catch rates of White and Black Crappie catch rate was slightly lower than previous survey. Crappies were the second most sought-after species by anglers.

Management Strategies

• Stock fingerling Hybrid Striped Bass at 7-15 fish/acre and stock Lonestar Bass.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct additional gill netting surveys in 2024, and general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2025-2026.
• Conduct creel survey in 2025-2026 to determine how many anglers are seeking Hybrid Striped Bass to determine if stockings should continue.

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