Amon G. Carter Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by John H. Moczygemba and Bruce Hysmith
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 2012 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Habitat was surveyed in 2012. Anglers were surveyed from September 2010- August 2011. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 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

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) the majority of the time from May 2009 until April 2013. The reservoir waters are moderately rich in nutrients. Habitat features consisted of rocky shoreline, standing timber, native submersed aquatic vegetation, Eurasian water-milfoil, and hydrilla.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Crappie. Management recommendations included an investigation to find a 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. An estimated 485,761 Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked from 1982 – 1985, 2000, and 2001.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was the second lowest on record, but was augmented by high abundance of Threadfin Shad. The relative abundance of prey-size Gizzard Shad (≤ 7-inches) was the lowest on record. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill remained excellent.
• Channel catfish: Gill net catch rate of Channel Catfish was fair; lower than the 10-year average. Most of the population was legal size and in good condition. Recruitment of legal-size fish was excellent since the entire sample population was > 12 inches. Anglers harvested an estimated 8,265 Channel Catfish.
• White bass: Gill net catch rate of White Bass was high. One half of the catch was legal-size and body condition was good. Recruitment of legal-size fish was excellent. Anglers harvested an estimated 1,986 White Bass.
• Largemouth bass: EElectrofishing catch rate of Largemouth Bass was above the historical average. Recruitment of legal-size fish has increased. Recruitment of young fish was excellent. Florida Largemouth Bass genetic influence was high. Condition and growth were good. Angler harvest was high in 2010-11. Tournament anglers weighed-in 4,245 fish in 2010-11.
• Crappie: Trap net catch rate of White Crappie surpassed the historical average. The legal-size catch increased. Recruitment, growth, and condition were good. Anglers harvested an estimated 31,466 White Crappie. Trap net catch rate of Black Crappie increased since 2008. Recruitment and condition were good; growth was fair. Anglers harvested an estimated 7,769 Black Crappie.

Management Strategies

• Based on current information, Amon G. Carter Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing harvest regulations.
• A bass-only electrofishing survey will be conducted in 2014 to monitor the Largemouth Bass size structure.
• The City of Bowie will be informed about new exotic species threats to Texas waters, and work with them to display appropriate signage and educate constituents.
• General monitoring with electrofisher, trap nets, and gill nets will be conducted in 2016-2017.

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