Bonham City Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Greg Cummings and Dan Bennett
Inland Fisheries Division
Denison District, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 30-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Bonham City Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2021 using gill netting and bass-only electrofishing. Aquatic vegetation and boat-angler access locations were surveyed in 2020. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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

Bonham City Reservoir is a 1,020-acre impoundment in Fannin County, Texas on Timber Creek, a tributary to Bois d’Arc Creek, which flows into the Red River. Water level has been within three feet of conservation pool elevation since 2014 except on three occasions when water level exceeded conservation pool elevation by more than three feet due to flood events. Habitat features consist of natural shoreline, bulkhead and boat docks, rip-rap, and native submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Blue and Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and White and Black Crappie. Blue Catfish were last stocked in 2018. Florida Largemouth Bass were last stocked in 2018 and 2019. The reservoir has always been managed with statewide fishing regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad were plentiful with above average electrofishing catches. Most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was close to the historical average with many available as forage.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population has been steady with many individuals available to anglers. The gill net catch of Blue Catfish has declined since 2013, although some large individuals remain for anglers.
• White Bass: White Bass were first collected in gill nets in 2013. No White Bass were sampled in 2015, 2017, or 2021.
• Largemouth Bass: The electrofishing catch rate of legal-length Largemouth Bass appears to have declined since 2004. Larger bass up to 21 inches were collected during a spring bass-only electrofishing survey.
• Crappie: White Crappie were moderately abundant with legal-length fish available to anglers. Most White Crappie

Management Strategies

• Bonham City Reservoir should continue to be managed using existing fish harvest regulations.
• Continue stocking Florida Largemouth Bass.
• Discontinue Blue Catfish stockings.
• Continue to inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• General monitoring with electrofishing, bass-only electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting will be conducted in 2024-2025.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2024.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program