Lake Fairfield - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Jacob D. Norman, David Smith, and Quintin Dean
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler South District, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Fairfield were surveyed in 2018 and 2020 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2020 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

Lake Fairfield is a 2,034-acre impoundment located on Big Brown Creek in the Trinity River Basin approximately 7 miles northeast of Fairfield, Texas. The reservoir historically served as the source of cooling water for the Big Brown power plant, but operations were permanently shut down in 2018 and deconstruction of the plant began in 2021. Recreation is the primary water use. Annual fish kills from 2008-2013 decimated fish populations. Another fish kill occurred in 2017, however, the impacts were less detrimental to the reservoir and several species have fully recovered. Habitat features consist of natural shoreline, standing timber, and submerged and emergent vegetation. Hydrilla, American lotus, and common reed were the predominant aquatic vegetation present in the reservoir in 2020.

Management History

Largemouth Bass are the primary sport fish within the reservoir. Red drum were stocked from 1984-2011 and historically offered a unique opportunity to anglers, however, annual fish kills from 2008-2013 decimated the population and no stockings have occurred since 2011

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was low; Gizzard Shad do not significantly contribute to the forage base. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was high and most were less than 6-inches long. Tilapia are no longer present in the reservoir.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were stocked most recently in 2011, but very few fish have been collected during population surveys. Catfish recruitment is likely limited by Largemouth Bass predation.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant and displayed both a balanced size structure and good body condition. Largemouth Bass growth was fast (average age at 14 inches was 1.7 years).

Management Strategies

• Document the quality Largemouth Bass fishery on Lake Fairfield to help guide future management efforts and apprise Inland Fisheries staff of the reservoir’s utilization by anglers.
• 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 current reservoir harvest regulations.

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