Lake Hawkins - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Jacob Norman
Inland Fisheries Division – Tyler District

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Hawkins were surveyed in 2021 and 2023 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2023 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 Hawkins is a 634-acre impoundment located on Little Sand Creek in the Sabine River Basin approximately 5 miles northwest of Hawkins, Texas. Primary water uses include flood control and recreation. Habitat features consist of natural shoreline, standing timber, and submerged and floating aquatic vegetation. Coontail was the predominant aquatic vegetation present in the reservoir in 2023.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass and crappie. Florida Largemouth Bass were initially stocked in 1975 and last stocked in 2010 to improve the trophy potential of the reservoir. Grass Carp were stocked in 2006, 2011 and 2014 to control hydrilla nuisance.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir in relatively low abundance. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was moderate and most were less than 6-inches long. Collectively, sunfish were the primary forage in the reservoir. Quality Redear Sunfish were present in the reservoir and could provide a quality sunfish fishery.   
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were stocked most recently in 1992, but very few fish have been collected during population surveys or documented during creel surveys. Catfish recruitment is likely limited by Largemouth Bass predation.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant and displayed both a balanced size structure and good body condition. Largemouth Bass growth to legal length was moderate (average age at 14 inches was 1.9 years).
• Crappie: Black Crappie historically occurred in low abundance and very few were collected during population surveys. Black Crappie accounted for 14% of directed angling effort during the last (spring 2020) creel survey.

Management Strategies

• Collect available online tournament data to monitor frequency of Largemouth Bass ≥ 5 pounds, caught. Stock Lone Star Bass to increase the potential catch of trophy Largemouth Bass.
• Conduct annual vegetation surveys to monitor coverage and distribution of hydrilla and Eurasian watermilfoil and make appropriate management recommendations based on survey findings.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species and work with controlling authority as needed to provide technical guidance with aquatic nuisance species.
• Continue managing all sport fish under statewide harvest regulations.

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