Grapevine Reservoir - 2015 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 33-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Grapevine Reservoir were surveyed in 2013 and 2015 using electrofishing, in 2015 using trap nets, and in 2016 using gill nets. 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 an average depth of 28.2 feet and a maximum depth of 65.0 feet. Angler and boat access is adequate. There is one handicap specific facility on the reservoir. At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily rocky and gravel 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 has been managed with a 14 to 18-inch slot-length limit since 1994. All other species have been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad were in great abundance in the reservoir. Threadfin Shad were also available in high abundance for predators. Bluegills and Longear Sunfish were also very abundant as prey but few fish over 6 inches are available for anglers.
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish were abundant and the population continues to improve. The Channel Catfish catch rate was well below average.
• White Bass: White Bass catch rates were below the average of other district reservoirs, but fish could have been upstream spawning at time of sampling.
• Black basses: The Smallmouth Bass population continues to develop and evidence of reproduction was discovered. Largemouth and Spotted Bass populations are in high abundance and quality fish are available for anglers.
• Crappie: The White Crappie catch rates decreased from last sample and continued to be average in abundance when compared to other district reservoirs.

Management Strategies

• Summer low frequency electrofishing, fall electrofishing, trap netting, and gillnetting surveys will be conducted in 2019-2020.
• Additional summer low frequency will be conducted in summer of 2017 to monitor Blue Catfish population.
• An additional fall electrofishing survey will be conducted in fall of 2017 to monitor black bass populations.
• A year-long creel survey will be conducted from June 2019-May 2020 to obtain updated information on angler effort and catch statistics.

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