Lake Bob Sandlin - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Margaret H. Stadig
Inland Fisheries Division — Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 29-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Bob Sandlin were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing and in 2022 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2022 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

Lake Bob Sandlin is a 9,116-acre impoundment located on Big Cypress Creek in the Cypress River Basin. The lake is located in Titus, Camp, and Franklin counties. Habitat features consisted of standing timber, bulkhead, piers and docks, rock and gravel, and native aquatic plants. Coverage of alligatorweed has been low in recent years. Water hyacinth was observed for the first time in four years and was treated with herbicide to prevent any spread. It continues to be monitored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Aquatic Habitat Enhancement team.

Management History

Important sport fish include Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. All sport fish at Lake Bob Sandlin have historically been managed with statewide regulations. In 2020, catfish regulations were changed. Lake Bob Sandlin was placed under a special exemption to promote trophy catfish in the lake. Florida Largemouth Bass and Blue Catfish have been stocked to improve angling opportunities.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was lower than the previous survey, but considerably higher than older surveys. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill in 2021 was comparable to the survey in 2017 but lower than 2019. Between the Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, and Bluegill, there are plenty of individuals available as forage for sport fish. Redear Sunfish serve as an additional prey source for predators and grow to sizes desirable to anglers.
• Catfish: Blue Catfish were stocked from 2008 – 2013 to establish a population. These stocked fish have survived and grown to create a fishery, but surveys have yet to document natural reproduction. Channel Catfish were more abundant in the 2022 gill netting survey than previous years. Flathead Catfish were present.
• Black bass: Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rates have been stable over the last three surveys and fish condition continues to be adequate. Growth of Largemouth Bass increased from the 2019 to the 2021 survey. Spotted Bass catch rates declined, but they still provided additional angling opportunities.
• Crappie: White and Black Crappie have been collected during previous trap net surveys, but sampling was discontinued due to inconsistent data collection. Future monitoring will rely on angler catch data.

Management Strategies

• Monitor the presence of invasive plants and work with the controlling authority to manage coverages and promote invasive species awareness.
• Continue to promote and monitor the Blue Catfish population.
• Continue to stock Florida Largemouth Bass every other year at a rate of 1,000 fish/km of shoreline.

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