Brandy Branch Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Quintin Dean and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division – Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Brandy Branch Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 and 2023 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2023 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

Brandy Branch Reservoir is a 1,257-acre impoundment of Brandy Branch Creek in the Sabine River Basin located in Harrison County. It was used for power plant cooling and recreation, but the power plant ceased operation in spring 2023. Structural habitat consisted primarily of inundated timber. Hydrilla continued to dominate the aquatic plant community. Eurasian watermilfoil was discovered in 2007 and has occupied similar areas over the survey period. Since 2008, numerous giant salvinia introductions have been successfully eradicated with herbicide applications and physical remova. Tilapia were discovered in the reservoir in 2015, however they will likely die off because of the lack of warm water input to the reservoir due to the closure of the power plant.

Management History

Largemouth Bass are the primary sport fish in Brandy Branch reservoir. All sport fish have historically been managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species:  Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir, but no Gizzard Shad were collected during the 2023 electrofishing survey. Sunfish were the most abundant prey species in recent surveys, which were dominated by Bluegill.
• Catfishes:  Due to historically low density and lack of directed angling effort, no sampling was conducted to assess the Channel Catfish population. However, Channel Catfish were stocked in 2020 and 2021 in an effort to increase the number of fish in the population.
• Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant; the electrofishing catch rate in 2023 was similar to 2019. Fish were collected up to 21 inches. Growth rate of Largemouth Bass was fast with the average age of 14-inch fish equal to 1.9 years. 
• Black Crappie:  Historically, crappie populations have low abundance with Black Crappie being the only crappie species collected during previous surveys. The last Black Crappie collected was in 1993. There has been limited directed angling effort and thus no sampling was conducted to index crappie populations.

Management Strategies

• Continue biennial electrofishing surveys in 2025 and 2027.
• Invasive aquatic species will be monitored annually through vegetation surveys.
• Due to repeated salvinia introductions, the boat ramp will be periodically inspected.
• Continue to manage sport fish with statewide harvest regulations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program