Bridgeport Reservoir - 2013 Survey Report

Prepared by Bruce T. Hysmith and John H. Moczygemba
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 43-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Smallmouth Bass only sampling was conducted in Bridgeport Reservoir during spring 2011 by electrofishing. All fish populations in Bridgeport Reservoir were surveyed in 2013 by electrofishing and trap netting; and in 2014 by gill netting. Habitat was surveyed in 2013. Anglers were surveyed by roving creel surveys in fall 2013 and spring 2014. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Bridgeport Reservoir is an 11,954-acre impoundment located on the West Fork Trinity River approximately 8 miles west of Bridgeport. Water level has been below conservation elevation (836 feet-mean sea level) since July 2010. Bridgeport Reservoir has moderate, but increasing, productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of rocky shoreline and submerged boulders. There was some standing timber and a small amount of hydrilla present in the reservoir.

Management History

Important sport fish included Channel Catfish, White Bass, Palmetto Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. The fisheries management plan prepared in 2010 included resuming stocking Palmetto Bass at 5/acre biennially. Gill netting in 2011 and 2014 and spring electrofishing in 2011 for Smallmouth only. Zebra mussels have infested Bridgeport Reservoir, boat ramp signage recommended. Marina personnel have been informed. An ongoing roving creel affords opportunity to inform anglers.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Despite some low winter temperatures in 2013-14, Threadfin Shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Twenty specimens were collected by electrofishing near the dam May 7, 2014. Half the Gizzard Shad were available as prey. Electrofishing catch of prey-size Bluegills was lower than previous years.
• Channel Catfish: The gill netting catch rate of Channel Catfish in 2014 was higher than previous catches with a preponderance of legal-size (12-inches and larger). Anglers caught more fish in 2003 than in 2013.
• Temperate basses: The gill netting catch rate of White Bass was down from previous years. Angler harvest was greater in 2013 than in 2003. The gill netting catch rate of Palmetto Bass was down from previous years. Angler harvest was higher in 2003 than in 2013.
• Black basses: The electrofishing catch rate of Smallmouth Bass was down from previous years. Anglers did not harvest any Smallmouth Bass in 2003 or 2013. The electrofishing catch rate of Spotted Bass was higher than in previous years. Anglers harvested Spotted Bass in 2003, but not in 2013. The electrofishing catch rate of Largemouth Bass was down from previous years. Angler harvest was greater in 2003 than in 2013.
• White crappie: White Crappie trap-netting catch rate was higher than in previous years. Anglers harvested more White Crappie in 2013 than in 2003.

Management Strategies

Continue stocking Palmetto Bass at 5/acre in 2015 and 2017. Inform Tarrant Regional Water District about new exotic species threats to Texas waters, and work with them to display appropriate signage, educate constituents, and understand appropriate enforcement actions.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-4 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program