Lake Crook - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Bennett and Kevin W. Storey
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler North District

This is the author's summary from a 19-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Crook were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2015 using gill netting. Aquatic vegetation and habitat surveys were conducted on Lake Crook during August 2014. Historical data are presented with the 2014-2015 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

Lake Crook is a 1,060-acre impoundment located in Lamar County, Texas, on Pine Creek, a tributary of the Red River. It was constructed in 1923 by the City of Paris for municipal water supply but currently acts as a supplemental source to Paris’ primary supply from Pat Mayse Reservoir. Littoral zone habitat consists primarily of natural shoreline with native emergent aquatic vegetation. The reservoir is characterized by highly turbid water which limits light penetration and primary productivity.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Crappi, and catfish. The management plan from the 2010 survey report included stocking Blue Catfish.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Forage species include Gizzard Shad and sunfish. Catch rates of shad and Bluegill are typically low. Electrofishing is impaired by the reservoir’s high turbidity.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish are present in the reservoir. Blue Catfish have become the dominant species in recent surveys.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass are present in low density. High turbidity may also impede observation during sampling.
• Crappie: White Crappie are the dominant species in Lake Crook. The population is composed primarily of small individuals.

Management Strategies

Continue standard monitoring using trap netting, low-pulse electrofishing, and standard electrofishing in 2018-2019.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program