Brandy Branch Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Margaret H. Stadig and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division – Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 23-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 2019 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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 is used for power plant cooling and recreation. Structural habitat consisted primarily of inundated timber. Hydrilla continues to be the most dominant aquatic plant species in 2015-2019. Eurasian watermilfoil was discovered in 2007 and has expanded in recent years. Giant salvinia was introduced from a boat trailer in 2008 and immediate efforts to eradicate this invasive species were successful. Several other independent introductions of giant salvinia in the past have also been successfully eradicated to date with herbicide application. Tilapia were discovered in the reservoir in 2015. Their presence is likely attributed to an unauthorized introduction as they were not stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

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.  Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was very low (8.0/h).  Sunfish formed the reservoirs forage base.  There was a significant increase in the catch rates of both Bluegill (1,237.0/h) and Redear sunfish (120.0/h) observed in 2019 compared to previous surveys.
• Catfishes:  Due to historically low density and lack of directed angling effort, no sampling was conducted to assess the Channel Catfish population.
• Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth Bass were abundant and total CPUE in 2019 (68.0/h) has decreased from prior surveys.  The majority of fish caught in 2019 were of legal length with moderate body condition.  Growth rate of Largemouth Bass was excellent and has increased since the last survey with the average 14-inch fish being 1.4 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 2021 and 2023. 
• Invasive aquatic species will be monitored annually through vegetation surveys. Due to the continued new giant salvinia introductions, boat ramps will be periodically inspected. Signs and boat ramp stencils have been put in place to remind boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats to prevent additional spread of invasive vegetation. 
• Provide technical guidance to the controlling authority related to invasive species management.  

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