Lake Fork - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Kevin W. Storey and Evan Cartabiano
Inland Fisheries Division – Tyler North District

This is the authors' summary from a 39-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Fork were surveyed in 2016, 2017 and 2018 using electrofishing, and in 2018 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed with an access point creel survey from June 2016 to May 2017. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2018 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 Fork is a 27,264-acre impoundment located on Lake Fork Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River, approximately five miles northwest of Quitman, Texas and approximately 70 miles east of Dallas, Texas. Reservoir elevation remained within 3 feet of conservation pool elevation (CPE) for the past two years. The reservoir was hypereutrophic and structural habitat features consisted of featureless bank, standing timber, boat docks, eroded bank and concrete.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, crappies (White and Black), and Channel Catfish. The management plan from the 2016 survey report included continued stocking of Florida Largemouth Bass (FLMB). The 16- to 24-inch slot-length limit continues to be evaluated through annual electrofishing surveys, and access creel surveys. Florida Largemouth Bass were introduced in small reservoirs in the lake basin prior to impoundment and stockings of fingerlings have taken place annually since 1995. Recent efforts to mitigate the loss of fish habitat due to reservoir ageing have included planting buttonbush and several native aquatic species along the lake shoreline. Management of the aquatic invasive species giant salvinia and water hyacinth continues to be a priority.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were abundant in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was adequate but their availability as prey to sport fish was low. The majority of Bluegill collected in electrofishing were less than 5-inches in length.
• Catfishes: Directed effort and harvest in the most recent creel survey were lower than previous surveys, however Channel Catfish continued to provide a quality fishery and angler catch rates were comparable to previous surveys. Blue Catfish were observed in the gill net survey for the first time in almost 20 years and have been occasionally encountered in creel surveys. Anecdotal evidence indicates a quality Flathead Catfish fishery is present in the reservoir.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Yellow Bass were present in the reservoir though angler interest in this group is low accounting for less than 2% of total directed effort. White Bass gill net catch rates were variable; likely the result of inconsistent reproduction and recruitment. This species has managed to establish a reproducing population following illegal angler stockings. Naturally produced White Bass x Yellow Bass hybrids are also periodically caught by anglers.
• Largemouth bass: Directed fishing effort for Largemouth Bass continued to be high. Despite the 16 – 24-inch slot-length limit, tournament effort has gradually increased in recent creel surveys and these anglers account for over 40% of total directed effort for Largemouth Bass. Few Largemouth Bass were harvested by anglers and most fish retained by anglers were in live-release tournaments. Spring electrofishing catch rates have been consistent although the size distribution has shifted upwards towards the lower end of the slot as more fish from the abundant cohort of small fish seen in the 2016 sample has recruited into the fishery.
• Crappies: Crappie had the second highest directed effort at Lake Fork. Although both Black and White Crappie are present in the reservoir, the fishery is dominated by Black Crappie.

Management Strategies

Continue annual stocking of FLMB at 1,000/km. Conduct fall (2019 and 2021) and spring (2020 and 2022) electrofishing surveys to monitor the Largemouth Bass population and an access point creel survey (beginning June 2018) to monitor angler effort, catch, and harvest rates. Annual vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor distribution and abundance of giant salvinia and water hyacinth.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program