Lake Bob Sandlin 2013 Survey Report (PDF 1.4 MB)
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Lake Bob Sandlin - 2013 Survey Report
Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Lynn D. Wright
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-A,
Marshall, Texas
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 Lake Bob Sandlin, Texas, were surveyed in 2013 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2014 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2013 through May 2014 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2013-2014 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 hydrilla, alligatorweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil has been low in recent years.
Management History
Important sport fishes include Blue Catfish, 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.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad has increased, and many Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill were abundant. Redear Sunfish and Longear Sunfish also added to the prey fish community.
- Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population has continued to improve through additional stocking; however, stocked Blue Catfish have yet to reach sexual maturity. The Channel Catfish population was excellent with fish collected in gill netting surveys as long as 28 inches. Flathead Catfish were also present in the reservoir.
- White bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir; however, few anglers targeted them. Because spawning habitat is limited for White Bass, population relative abundance is generally low.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass catch rate in the most recent electrofishing survey was lower than it was in previous years. This is likely due to low water levels in the reservoir for the past 4 years. Largemouth Bass had fast growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.0 years). Approximately 35% of angling effort was directed at Largemouth Bass from June 2013 through May 2014. Spotted Bass were also present and provided additional opportunities to anglers.
- Crappie: Directed angling effort was higher for crappie during the 2013/2014 creel survey. Trap netting catch rates for White Crappie and Black Crappie were low.
Management Strategies
- Continue stocking Largemouth Bass at 50 fish/acre every two years.
- Conduct additional electrofishing in fall 2015 to monitor the Largemouth Bass and prey fish populations.
- Conduct low-pulse electrofishing during summer 2015 to evaluate natural reproduction of Blue Catfish.
- Conduct additional gill netting in spring 2016 to monitor the Blue Catfish population.
- Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
- Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in 2017-2018.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-4 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program