Cooper Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Austin Stafford and Jacob Norman
Inland Fisheries Division – Tyler District

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Cooper Reservoir were surveyed using electrofishing and trap netting in 2023, and gill netting in 2022 and 2024. Historical data are presented with the 2022-2024 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

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. Water levels have fluctuated from 4 feet low to 1 foot high since 2020. Habitat features consisted of standing timber, rocks, native submerged vegetation, flooded terrestrial plants, and hydrilla.

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 at a rate of 10/acre.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, and sunfish were observed during electrofishing surveys in the reservoir. No assessments were made of prey fish populations, but body conditions of game fish in Cooper Reservoir indicate adequate availability of prey species. 
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were present in the 2022 and 2024 gillnet surveys. Blue Catfish remain abundant while Channel Catfish catch rates continue to indicate a low-density population.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and hybrid striped bass were present in Cooper reservoir. Gillnet catch rates were variable in 2022 and 2024 but body conditions were good, indicating sufficient prey availability. Hybrid Striped Bass stocking requests are made annually at 10/acre.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rates increased, with a large young-of-the-year age class observed during the electrofishing survey in 2023. Improved littoral habitat and relatively stable water levels have likely contributed to increased recruitment of a rebounding population. Body conditions were good, indicating sufficient prey availability.
• White Crappie: White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir, but White Crappie make up the bulk of the population. Trap net catch rates declined in 2023 with no legal-size fish observed.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking hybrid striped bass at 10 fish/acre.
• Stock Lone Star Bass fingerlings at 1,000/km of shoreline when available and littoral habitat is deemed sufficient.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species and work with the controlling authority as needed to provide technical guidance with aquatic nuisance species.
• Conduct electrofishing and trap net surveys in fall 2027, and a gillnet survey in spring 2028.

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