Cedar Creek Reservoir - 2011 Survey Report

Prepared by Richard A. Ott, Jr. and Daniel L. Bennett
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-C, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 37-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Cedar Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2011 using daytime electrofisher and trap nets, and in 2012 using gill nets. Anglers were surveyed from June through November 2011 with a creel survey. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir.

Reservoir Description

Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 32,623-acre impoundment of Cedar Creek, Texas, a tributary of the Trinity River. The reservoir was constructed by the Tarrant Regional Water District in 1965 to provide water for municipal and industrial use. Boat access is adequate, but public access for bank anglers is limited. There are no handicapspecific facilities. The aquatic vegetation survey, conducted at five feet below conservation pool, indicated poor habitat. Anglers expended approximately 60,489 hours of fishing effort and an estimated $523,121 on direct expenditures during the June through November creel period.

Management History

Important sportfish include palmetto and white basses, largemouth bass, blue and channel catfishes, and white and black crappies. Supplemental stocking of Florida largemouth bass was conducted in 2008 and 2009. Palmetto bass were stocked in 2008, 2009, and 2011. Supplemental gill netting was conducted in 2010 in order to monitor the popular temperate bass and catfish fisheries. Roving creel surveys were conducted from June 2003 through May 2004, from June 2007 through May 2008, and from June through November 2011.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The prey community is dominated by threadfin and gizzard shad. Sunfishes also provide supplemental forage for sport fish.
• Catfishes: Cedar Creek has historically been a popular catfish fishery. Blue catfish are typically more abundant than channel catfish.
• Temperate basses: White bass and palmetto bass provide additional fisheries at Cedar Creek. Gill net catch rate of palmetto bass has declined, reflective of inconsistent stocking density.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass was the most sought after species by anglers at Cedar Creek, and tournament effort comprised 66% of all angler effort for largemouth bass in the 2011 creel period.
• Crappie: White crappie and black crappie were present in the reservoir in equal abundance. Crappies were the third most popular fishery at Cedar Creek Reservoir.

Management Strategies

• Stock palmetto bass at 10/acre each year, and monitor palmetto bass and catfish populations with gill netting in 2014 and 2016.
• Monitor the frequency of Florida largemouth bass alleles in 2015 with fall electrofishing.
• Continue to monitor for exotic species presence and educate resource users.
• Publish articles in local newspapers highlighting TPWD activities.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program