Gladewater City Lake - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Joseph D. Lechelt and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division — Marshall 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 Gladewater City Lake were surveyed in 2017 using electrofishing and in 2018 using baited tandem hoop nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2018 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

Gladewater City Lake is a 481-acre reservoir on Glade Creek, and was constructed in 1953 by the City of Gladewater for use as municipal and industrial water supply. Habitat features consisted of inundated timber, brush, creek channels, and riprap. The lake has a history of limited aquatic vegetation. Water hyacinth, a non-native invasive plant, was detected at the reservoir in 2005. Periodic herbicide treatments have prevented the spread of water hyacinth in the reservoir.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and crappie. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Marshall District staff stocked Threadfin Shad in 2008 to improve the prey fish community. The City of Gladewater purchased (from a private fish retailer) and stocked the reservoir with 15,000 pure Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings each year from 2008-2010. TPWD stocked 52,113 Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings in 2016.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was higher than it was in the previous two surveys, but only 31% of fish were small enough to be available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill catch was lower in 2017 than it was in 2013, but higher than 2009. Bluegill size structure indicates that they are an adequate prey source for most sport fish. Redear Sunfish serve as an additional prey source for predators and grow to sizes desirable to anglers.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were collected using tandem hoop nets, but the population sample was limited. Fish ranged from 8-19 inches.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rates were higher than the two previous surveys. Largemouth Bass were collected up to 21 inches, and size structure was above average. Spotted Bass catch rate was lower than it was in previous surveys, but these fish provide additional angling opportunities.
• Crappie: Crappie were collected using tandem hoop nets. White Crappie were more abundant than Black Crappie and were collected up to 14 inches.

Management Strategies

• Continue to stock Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings every 4 years to maintain a quality bass population. Florida Largemouth Bass will next be stocked in 2020 at a rate of 100 fish/acre.
• Monitor water hyacinth and alligatorweed and provide technical guidance to the City of Gladewater regarding invasive aquatic vegetation management and consult with TPWD’s Aquatic Habitat Enhancement team on vegetation control as necessary.

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