Lake Bob Sandlin 2009 Survey Report (PDF 191.4 KB)
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Lake Bob Sandlin - 2009 Survey Report
Prepared by Michael W. Brice and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-A,
Marshall, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 23-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 2007and 2009 with electrofishing, 2009 with trap netting, and 2010 using gill netting. 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, native aquatic plants, hydrilla, alligatorweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil.
Management History
Important sport fish include channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, and crappie. All sport fish at Lake Bob Sandlin have historically been managed with statewide harvest regulations. Florida largemouth bass and blue catfish have been stocked to improve angling opportunities. Percent coverage of aquatic vegetation has fluctuated (7%, 1993 to 23%, 2005). Native submersed vegetation dominates the plant community (910 acres, 2009). Hydrilla, alligatorweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil were also present. Hydrilla abundance has declined in recent years (1,898 acres, 2005; 1,021 acres, 2008; 512 acres, 2009). Alligatorweed was found throughout the reservoir and has ranged from 60-100 acres in recent years. Eurasian watermilfoil, mostly located at the lower end of the reservoir, has ranged from 26-57 acres in recent years.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin shad were present in the reservoir. Gizzard shad abundance was moderate with the majority of the fish not available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill and other sunfish were also available as prey and were abundant.
- Catfishes: The blue catfish stocking in 2008 was successful. Some fish have already grown past the minimum length limit. The channel catfish population had many fish above legal length and provides excellent angling opportunities. Flathead catfish were present in the reservoir and provide anglers with an additional sport fish.
- White bass: White bass were present in the reservoir in moderate numbers. Many legal-size fish from 10-16 inches were available for harvest.
- Largemouth bass: The largemouth bass population was excellent with high relative abundance and good size structure. Condition of largemouth was good for most inch groups. Growth of largemouth bass was good with fish reaching legal length in 1.8 years. Many legal-size fish from 14-21 inches were available to catch.
- Crappie: Crappie were not collected in trap nets in 2009; however, moderate numbers of both black and white crappie were caught in recent surveys (2001 and 2005). Angler creel surveys (2004-2005) also indicate these fish are present in the reservoir.
Management Strategies
- Conduct fall electrofishing and spring gill netting surveys every other year beginning 2011 and 2012, respectively.
- Conduct fall trap netting in 2013 and summer electrofishing (lowpulse) in 2014.
- Conduct a roving creel survey June 2013 through May 2014.
- Aquatic vegetation surveys will be conducted annually beginning in 2010.
- All sport fish will continue to be managed under statewide harvest regulations.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-35 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program