Caddo Lake - 2021 Survey Report

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

This is the author's summary from a 35-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Caddo Lake were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing and in 2022 using tandem hoop nets. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2022 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

Caddo Lake is a 27,472-acre lake on Big Cypress Creek located in the Cypress Creek Basin approximately 20 miles northeast of Marshall, in Harrison and Marion Counties, Texas, and Caddo Parish, Louisiana; 12,712 acres lie in Texas. Habitat features consist of bald cypress wetlands and a complex aquatic plant community including both native and non-native species. The invasive species giant salvinia, water hyacinth, crested floating heart, and hydrilla were present.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and crappie. The management plan from the 2017 survey report included the need for nuisance aquatic vegetation monitoring, Largemouth Bass supplemental stocking, and the need to investigate alternative sampling approaches in the presence of giant salvinia. Largemouth Bass were managed with a 14- to 18-inch slot-length limit. Efforts to control nuisance aquatic plants on the lake continued.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir. However, few Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. There was an increase in the catch rate of Bluegill from the last two surveys. Small Bluegill were a dominant prey source. Catch rates of Redear Sunfish were moderate and provided good angling opportunity within Caddo Lake.
• Catfish: Channel Catfish habitat on the Texas side of Caddo Lake is not ideal. Recent survey data indicated a low-density population. Few anglers target Channel Catfish while fishing. Flathead Catfish were also present in the most recent survey.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass catch rates continue to improve from the last survey report in 2017. There were fewer Largemouth Bass caught within the slot limit in 2021 compared to 2017. The size structure between the 2019 and 2021 surveys were consistent. Largemouth Bass had moderate growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.7 years) and average body condition. Largemouth Bass were the most-sought fish by anglers. Total fishing effort increased compared to the 2017/2018 survey when giant salvinia coverage was higher.
• White crappie: Black Crappie have traditionally been more abundant compared to White Crappie and that was reflected in total crappie harvest in the most recent creel survey results. While White Crappie were documented in the recent angler creel survey none were collected during spring hoop netting. Almost thirty percent of directed angling effort was for crappie in 2021/2022, which was second only to black bass.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Florida largemouth bass to support the high-quality bass fishery at Caddo Lake.
• Conduct invasive aquatic plant surveys annually and continue management of giant salvinia and other invasive aquatic vegetation.
• Continue to work with stakeholder groups on invasive species management issues.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program