Cooper Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Margaret Stadig
Inland Fisheries Division – Tyler North District

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Cooper Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing and trap netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2019 through August 2019 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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

Cooper Reservoir is located in Delta and Hopkins Counties, Texas, on the Middle and South Forks of the Sulphur River. It was constructed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for water supply and flood control. In 2015, water level in Cooper Reservoir rose six feet above conservation pool elevation, flooding Doctor’s Creek and South Sulphur Units of Cooper Lake State Park. Water levels have fluctuated from four feet low to six feet above conservation pool, since 2015.

Management History

Important sport fishes at Cooper Reservoir include Hybrid Striped Bass, White Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. Annual requests are made to stock Hybrid Striped Bass (Palmetto Bass and/or Sunshine Bass) at a rate of 10/acre.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Bluegill and Gizzard Shad were present in 2019 fall electrofishing surveys but continue to have low abundances, however, limited data from body condition of game fish in Cooper Reservoir indicates an adequate availability of prey species.  
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish were not sampled with gill nets in 2020 due to staffing concerns and COVID-19. In the past, Blue Catfish have been dominant and are thought to out-compete Channel Catfish. Low-frequency electrofishing was used in 2019 to conduct an age and growth assessment on Blue Catfish though few individuals of target size were obtained. 
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass have been present in the reservoir but were not sampled this year due to staffing shortages and COVID-19. Fifty-three percent of the total fishing effort in Cooper Reservoir was directed towards Temperate bass populations (22% specifically towards White Bass). Hybrid Striped Bass stocking requests are made annually at 10/acre.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance continues to be limited, indicating low population density. In 2019, the majority of Largemouth Bass were smaller individuals. A slight increase in the CPUE of stock sized fish (≥ 8inches) was observed in 2019 however only one legal-length fish was collected with our electrofishing survey.
• White Crappie: White Crappie continue to be present in Cooper Reservoir; the population is dominated by fish less than 5 inches. Very few individuals of legal length were captured with trap nets..

Management Strategies

• Annual stockings of Hybrid Striped Bass (Palmetto and/or Sunshine Bass) at a rate of 10/acre should resume to maintain the fishery.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species and work with controlling authority as needed to provide technical guidance with aquatic nuisance species.
• Continue managing all sport fish under statewide harvest 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