Cedar Creek Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Jacob Norman
Inland Fisheries Division – Tyler District

This is the authors' summary from a 36-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 2021 and 2024 with gill nets and in 2023 with electrofishing and trap nets. Anglers were surveyed from June through May 2023/2024 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2024 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

Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 32,623-acre impoundment of Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River approximately 14 miles northeast of Athens, Texas. 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. Littoral habitat varies with water level and currently is limited to trace amounts of emergent and floating vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Hybrid Striped Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and crappie. The management plan from the 2020 survey report included continued stocking of Hybrid Striped Bass at 10/acre.

Fish Community

• Prey species:  Gizzard and Threadfin shad were present in the reservoir. Previous electrofishing surveys indicated shad provided a quality prey base for sportfish in the reservoir. The 2023 electrofishing survey was altered in an attempt to survey Largemouth Bass more effectively and did not provide accurate estimates of shad or sunfish. The reservoir has historically contained a very low-density sunfish population.    
• Catfishes:  Both Blue and Channel Catfish exist in the reservoir. Blue Catfish remained more abundant and fish > 30 inches were observed in the 2024 gill net survey. Catfish historically provided a popular fishery, accounting for > 20% of directed effort in all previous creel surveys; catfish accounted for 1.7% of directed effort during the 2023/2024 creel survey.
  
• Temperate basses:  Cedar Creek Reservoir contains a quality temperate bass population, with abundant White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass traditionally supported by an ample prey base and abundant open water habitat. Temperate bass were the third most targeted fish at Cedar Creek Reservoir, accounting for 8% of angling effort. Annual requests are submitted to stock Hybrid Striped Bass.
• Largemouth Bass:  Traditional electrofishing surveys produced variable and low catch rates for Largemouth Bass. Creel surveys and tournament data suggested a popular fishery exists. A biologist selected daytime electrofishing survey was conducted in 2023 to further asses the bass population; the survey results were poor and did not provide enough data to assess the population. Largemouth Bass continued to provide a popular fishery, accounting for 67% of directed effort during the most recent creel survey; tournament angling made up 85% of all Largemouth Bass effort.
• Crappie:  Black and White Crappie were present in the reservoir and continued to provide a popular fishery. The 2023 trap net survey indicated crappie were still abundant, and the population has been stable over the last 3 surveys (2015-2023 ). Crappie were the second most popular species targeted during the most recent creel survey, accounting for 19% of all angling effort.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Hybrid Striped Bass to maintain the quality temperate bass fishery.
• Inform Cedar Creek Reservoir angling groups about ongoing management and research efforts.
• Continue managing all sport fish under state-wide regulations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program