Bonham City Reservoir - 2024 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 2024 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2025 using gill netting and bass-only electrofishing. Aquatic vegetation and access were surveyed in 2024. Historical data are presented with the 2024-2025 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 on Timber Creek, a tributary to Bois d’Arc Creek, which is a tributary to the Red River in Fannin County Texas. Water level has been within three feet of conservation elevation since 2015 with periodic high-water events. The reservoir has high productivity. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline, bulkhead and boat docks, riprap, and native submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Blue and Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. Blue Catfish were last stocked in 2018. Lone Star Bass were stocked in 2022. The reservoir has always been managed with statewide fishing regulations. The controlling authority has hired a contractor in recent years to treat alligator weed in some areas of the reservoir.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad were abundant and fewer Threadfin Shad were collected with electrofishing. Most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was below the long-term average with most available as forage.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish abundance has increased. The gill net catch of Blue Catfish was near the long-term average and some natural recruitment was evident, and many large individuals are available 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 fall electrofishing catch of Largemouth Bass has generally declined since 2004, likely influenced by lower water levels in the fall. A spring bass-only electrofishing survey collected larger bass up to 23-inches.
• Crappie: Trap net catch rate reflected an increase in legal-length White Crappie. Most crappie reached legal length in about two years.

Management Strategies

• Bonham City Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing fish harvest regulations.
• Request Lone Star Bass fingerlings in 2026 and evaluate genetics in 2028.
• Continue to inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• General monitoring with electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting will be conducted in 2028-2029.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2028.

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