Lake Bob Sandlin 2017 Survey Report (PDF 650.9 KB)
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Lake Bob Sandlin - 2017 Survey Report
Prepared by Joesph Lechelt and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division — Marshall District
This is the authors' summary from a 33-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 2017 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2018 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2018 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, alligator weed, Eurasian watermilfoil, and water hyacinth 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 were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was low, and few Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill were the most abundant prey species collected during electrofishing surveys. Redear Sunfish were also present and catches of fish > 6 inched provided additional angling opportunities.
- Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population consists of fish that have survived from previous stockings, but we have not documented any natural reproduction in the reservoir. Channel Catfish gill netting catch rates have declined during recent surveys, but size composition has remained stable. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir, but increased efforts using low-frequency electrofishing to collect baseline information on the population was not successful.
- White Bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir. Spawning conditions for White Bass are usually not favorable in Lake Bob Sandlin. However, gill netting catch rates have increased in the latest survey and the population was dominated by 13-14-inch fish.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rates have increased in recent surveys. The number of fish over 14 inches has increased as well. Largemouth Bass had average growth (age at 14 inches was 2.1 years).
- Crappie: Both White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir. Growth of each species was fast.
Management Strategies
- Monitor the presence of invasive aquatic plants and work with the controlling authority to manage infestations 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