Grapevine Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock, Cynthia Holt, and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division – Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 46-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Grapevine Reservoir were surveyed in 2023 using low frequency electrofishing, electrofishing, and trap nets, and in 2020 using gill nets. A roving creel survey was also conducted from June 2023 thru November 2023 and March 2024 thru May 2024. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Grapevine Reservoir is a 6,684-acre impoundment constructed on Denton Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1952 to provide flood control, municipal and industrial water, and recreation. Grapevine Reservoir is surrounded by urban development and is 20 miles northwest of Dallas, Texas in Tarrant County. The reservoir contains 188,550 acre-feet of water at conservation elevation (535 ft. above mean sea level) and has a maximum depth of 65.0 feet. Angler and boat access are adequate. At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily rocky and natural shoreline.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, and Blue and Channel Catfish. The Largemouth Bass population had been managed with a 14 to 18-inch slot-length limit from 1994-2016. It is currently managed with no minimum length limit but only 2 fish under 18 inches may be retained. All other species have been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Catch rates of these species were slightly lower than previous surveys but new equipment was used in 2023. Bluegill catch rates were also very high.
• Catfishes: Catch rates of Blue Catfish was high with low frequency electrofishing with quality fish available for anglers. Catfishes were the fourth most sought-after species at Grapevine Reservoir in 2023-2024 and an estimated 823 Channel Catfish were harvested by anglers during the creel survey.
• White Bass: White Bass were not surveyed during this four-year sampling rotation; however, angler reported high catches of White Bass. White Bass were the second most sought-after species during the 2023-2024 creel survey.
• Black Bass: The Smallmouth Bass catch rate decreased from the previous survey and remained low. The Spotted Bass catch rate was moderate with quality fish available for anglers. The Largemouth Bass catch rate was below the reservoir average. Largemouth Bass were the most sought-after species in the reservoir.
• White Crappie: The White Crappie catch rates were lower than the previous survey. Crappie were the third most sought-after species in the reservoir in the 2023-2024 survey.

Management Strategies

• Smallmouth Bass will be requested for stocking annually at the rate of 25/acre.
• Fall, night-time electrofishing surveys will be conducted in 2025 and 2027 to collect data on all black basses. 
• Low frequency electrofishing will be conducted in summer of 2027 to monitor Blue Catfish populations. 
• Gill netting will not be conducted.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program