Joe Pool Reservoir - 2009 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-D, Fort Worth, Texas

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 Joe Pool Reservoir were surveyed in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 using electrofishing, in 2009 using trap nets and in 2010 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

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. It is located in Tarrant, Ellis, and Dallas Counties four miles south of Grand Prairie, Texas. Habitat is composed mainly of rocky habitat, shoreline emergent vegetation, and flooded timber.

Management History

Important sport fish include white bass, largemouth bass, white crappie, and channel catfish. Largemouth bass have been intensively managed through harvest regulations and opened with an 18 inch minimum length limit. This was changed to a 14-to 21- inch slot length limit in Fall 1992.

Aquatic Vegetation

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) was first discovered in Joe Pool Reservoir in 1994. Coverage was less than 1 acre until it expanded to approximately 116 acres in 2003 and fluctuated between 100 and 120 acres from 2004-2006; however hydrilla began to decrease in 2007 and had decreased to less than one acre in 2008. In 2009 no hydrilla was found. Although hydrilla is an exotic species and can be problematic, the increased coverage increased largemouth population abundance and appeared to increase growth rates. The decline in the hydrilla abundance could have a negative impact on the largemouth bass population.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and threadfin shad were present in the reservoir. However, catch rates of these species remain well below averages of other district reservoirs.
• Catfishes: Larger blue catfish were captured by gill netting than in the previous sample but at a low rate. The catch rate of channel catfish remained near the reservoir average. Flathead catfish are present but none were captured this past survey year.
• White bass: White bass were caught at a high rate by gill netting but not as high as the previous sample.
• Largemouth bass: The largemouth bass population abundance decreased. Averaged body condition continued to be below average. A new largemouth bass lake record was certified in 2008 (14.45 lbs). This fish qualified for the ShareLunker program but was not submitted.
• White crappie: The white crappie population continued to exhibit fluctuations in abundance with trap net catch rates similar to previous years.

Management Strategies

A creel survey to determine angler attitudes and opinions of harvest regulations will be conducted in 2013-2014. Additional electrofishing surveys will be conducted in 2010, 2011, and in 2012, and general monitoring with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in 2013-2014. Annual aquatic vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor hydrilla coverage.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-35 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program