Lake Jacksonville - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Quintin Dean, David R. Smith and Jacob D. Norman
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler South District, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 31-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Jacksonville were surveyed in 2020 using fall electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed March through May 2021 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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 Jacksonville is a 1,208-acre reservoir on Gum Creek in the Neches River basin, approximately four miles southwest of Jacksonville, Texas. Water level has been within two feet of conservation pool since 2013. The reservoir is clear and low in productivity. Land surrounding the reservoir is highly modified for residential development, and approximately 40% of the shoreline has bulkhead at the land/water interface.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass and crappie. Largemouth Bass are managed with a five fish daily bag; two of which may be less than 18 inches in length. Remaining species are managed under the statewide harvest regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings have been stocked frequently since 2010. An integrated vegetation management plan was initiated in 1997 featuring triploid Grass Carp stocking, release of hydrilla flies, herbicide treatments, and native plant introduction. Vegetation surveys were conducted twice a year (pre-treatment in spring and annual in summer) to monitor changes from 2000-2008. Herbicide treatments were conducted annually through 2006. In 2006 and 2007 a total of 3,890 additional triploid Grass Carp were stocked (10 fish/hydrilla acre). In July 2007, a major flood event removed most of the hydrilla, and triploid Grass Carp herbivory prevented reestablishment. By summer 2008 hydrilla was reduced to trace coverage, and native vegetation was sparse. Vegetation surveys were conducted annually (at the peak of the growing season) from 2013-2016.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir, but the prey community continued to be dominated by sunfish species. Redbreast Sunfish and Bluegill were the most abundant sunfish species. Electrofishing catch rate of all sunfish species combined (218/h) suggests abundance of sunfish is declining.
• Black basses: Black bass continue to support a popular fishery. Relative abundance was within the historical range; however, size structure and relative weights were lower than previous surveys. Relative abundance of Largemouth Bass > 18 inches remains low.

Management Strategies

• Conduct bass-only spring electrofishing surveys to capture size classes unrepresented in fall surveys.
• Continue monitoring and tabulating results of Thursday night angling tournaments.
• Improve littoral habitat by establishing additional water willow colonies and contact stakeholders to gauge interest in additional littoral improvements.
• Maintain signage promoting the Clean-Drain-Dry campaign.
• Continue to manage Largemouth Bass under the current special-regulation and all other fish under statewide regulations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program