Amon G. Carter Reservoir 2008 Survey Report (PDF 578.1 KB)
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Amon G. Carter Reservoir - 2008 Survey Report
Prepared by Bruce Hysmith and John H. Moczygemba
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A,
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 Amon G. Carter Reservoir were surveyed in 2008 using an electrofisher and trap nets and in 2009 using gill nets. Habitat was surveyed in 2008. A creel survey was conducted from December 2007 to November 2008 as part of an investigation of exploitation of largemouth bass. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Amon G. Carter Reservoir is a 1,848-acre impoundment on Big Sandy Creek in Montague County. Water level was below conservation level (920 ft-msl) most of the time from June 2005 until May 2009. The reservoir waters are moderately rich in nutrients. Habitat features consisted mainly of rip-rap, rocky shoreline, boulders, native emergent aquatic vegetation, and dead standing timber.
Management History
Important sport fish include channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie. The management plan for the 2005 survey report included a recommendation to investigate best-fit largemouth bass regulation using age and growth data, conduct creel survey, conduct a public scooping meeting, monitor growth of hydrilla, and execute updates of angler information. In 1966 - 1972, 101,000 advanced channel catfish fingerlings were stocked. In 1971 and 1985, 75,060 northern largemouth bass were stocked. An estimated 485,761 Florida largemouth bass were stocked from 1982 – 1985, 2000, and 2001. Beginning in 1978, 9,125 adult threadfin shad were stocked and continued into 1980, 1984, 1985, and 2003.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of gizzard shad was the lowest on record; however, the void was filled by threadfin shad. The relative abundance of prey-size gizzard shad (≤7-inches) was only modest. Electrofishing catch rate of bluegill remained good.
- Channel catfish: Gill net catch rate of channel catfish was average. Most of the population was legal size and in fair condition. Growth was slow, but recruitment of legal-size fish was excellent.
- White bass: Gill net catch rate of white bass was high, most of the catch was legal-size fish and body condition was good. Recruitment of legal-size fish was excellent.
- Largemouth bass: Electrofishing catch rate of largemouth bass was near the historical average, but few were legal size. Recruitment of small fish was excellent, which was encouraging for future angling. Data suggested overfishing of predators. Condition and growth were good.
- Crappie: Trap net catch rate of white crappie was above the historical average. Fewer legal-size white crappie were collected as compared to previous years. Recruitment, growth, and condition were good. Trap net catch rate of black crappie increased since the last survey and remained above the historical average. Fewer legal-size black crappie were collected as compared to previous years. Recruitment and condition were excellent, but growth was slow.
Management Strategies
Based on current information, Amon G. Carter Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing fish harvest regulations, pending results of an investigation of exploitation of largemouth bass.
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Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-34 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program