Graham Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Wes Dutter and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division
Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 44-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Graham Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing, trap netting and in 2022 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from Dec 1, 2021, through May 31, 2022, with a creel survey that will continue until the end of November. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2022 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

Graham Reservoir is a 2,396-acre impoundment located on Salt Creek in the Brazos River Basin approximately two miles northwest of Graham. The water elevation has been within three feet of full pool since 2015 when a record drought was ended by heavy precipitation resulting in the reservoir elevation rising 15 feet. Graham Reservoir has moderate to high productivity. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline, standing timber, and rocks. Much of the reservoir is ringed by emergent aquatic vegetation. There are four public boat ramps and adequate bank-fishing access.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Sunshine and Palmetto Bass, Largemouth Bass, White and Black Crappie, and Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish. The management plan from the 2017 survey report included stocking Sunshine and Palmetto Bass at 7 fish/acre every year for each hybrid cross as part of an approved research project. September 1, 2021, the Blue and Channel Catfish regulation changed to a 25 fish aggregate bag limit, no minimum length-limit, and only 10 catfish 20-inches or greater in length being harvested.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were abundant in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was slightly above the historical average, but many Gizzard Shad were too large for most predators to consume. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was the highest in the past twenty years and well above the historical average. Bluegill up to eight-inches and Redear Sunfish up to ten-inches were captured.
• Catfishes: The Blue and Channel Catfish catch rates were the highest documented with many small, young fish in the populations. Body conditions were considered good for both species. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir. A partially completed year-long creel survey found anglers targeting Blue Catfish was significantly higher than in previous creel surveys.
• Temperate basses: White Bass, Sunshine Bass, and Palmetto Bass were present in the reservoir. White Bass abundance was up over the previous surveys and was well above the historical average. Hybrid Striped Bass relative abundance was the highest it’s been in the last twenty-five years.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant, with catch rates up from the previous six surveys and above the historical average. Plenty of legal-length bass were available to anglers. Largemouth Bass had average growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.5 years) and exhibited good body conditions. Largemouth Bass was the most targeted species in Graham Reservoir.
• Crappie: White and Black Crappie combined were moderately abundant with plenty of legallength fish available to anglers. White Crappie catch rate was the highest it has ever been. Black Crappie are not nearly as abundant as White Crappie. Body condition was considered excellent. Anglers targeting crappie were down compared to previous surveys.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Palmetto/Sunshine Bass at 15 fish/acre.
• Monitor the hybrid Striped Bass population with an additional 2024 gill net survey.
• Monitor the Largemouth Bass population with an additional electrofishing survey in 2023.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2025-2026.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2025.

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