Joe Pool Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

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

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 Joe Pool Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 and 2021 using electrofishing and in 2021 using trap nets. Due to other district priorities gill netting was not conducted in 2022. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Joe Pool Reservoir, a 7,470-acre reservoir located on Mountain Creek (a tributary of the Trinity River), was constructed in 1986 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. It was opened to public fishing in August 1989. Joe Pool Reservoir is in Tarrant, Ellis, and Dallas Counties four miles south of Grand Prairie, Texas. Historically habitat was composed mainly of shoreline emergent vegetation, submersed vegetation in the form of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), American Pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus), and flooded timber. However, at the time of sampling, aquatic vegetation was nonexistent and structural fish habitat was limited to primarily natural shoreline.

Management History

Important sport fishes include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Channel and Blue Catfish. Largemouth Bass have been intensively managed though harvest regulations and the fishery opened with an 18-inch minimum length limit. This regulation was changed to a 14-to 21- inch slot length limit in fall 1992.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Catch rates of these species remain well below averages of other district reservoirs. Sunfishes were relatively more abundant than shad.
• Catfishes: Due to participation in a research project on a different district reservoir, gill nets were not set in 2022. However, from the 2018 survey, Blue Catfish catch rates continued to increase with several large fish (≥ 30 inches) captured in gill nets. Catch rate of Channel Catfish also increased in 2018 compared to previous surveys. Flathead Catfish are present in the reservoir.
• White Bass: Due to participation in a research project on a different district reservoir, gill nets were not set in 2022. White Bass catch rates in 2018 were below rates observed in previous surveys.
• Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass catch rates increased from the two previous surveys. This was likely due a strong year class in 2021. Average body condition continued to be below optimal levels as in previous surveys. No fish above the 21” slot-length limit were observed in the 2021 survey.
• White Crappie: White Crappie catch rates decreased by nearly half from the previous survey. The catch rate of White Crappie ≥10 inches and size structure remained consistent with previous surveys.

Management Strategies

General monitoring with trap netting, gill netting, and electrofishing in 2025- 2026. Annual aquatic vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor Hydrilla coverage. Stock Lone Star Bass in 2026.

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