Lavon Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by Bruce Hysmith and John H. Moczygemba
Inland Fisheries Division - Denison District

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lavon Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2015 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2014-2015 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

Lavon Reservoir is a 21,400-acre impoundment located on the East Fork Trinity River approximately 8 miles east of McKinney. Since July 2011 water level has fluctuated 13 feet above and below conservation elevation (492 feet above mean sea level). However, water level began dropping July 2012 and continued dropping until January 2015. Lavon Reservoir has moderate productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of riprap along the dam and railroad bridges, dead trees and stumps, and rocky shoreline. Standing dead timber was an important habitat feature.

Management History

Important sport fishes include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White and Black Crappie, and Blue and Channel Catfish. The management plan from the 2011 survey report included requesting the TPWD Webmaster include a statement about the improving sport fishery, especially Blue and Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass. We cooperated with USACOE in posting signage warning lake visitors of the potential of zebra mussel infestation. Advised, educated, and provided signage and invasive species literature to marina owners. Utilizing media outlets and speaking engagements, we provided our constituents and user groups this same information. Monitored existing inter-basin water transfers. Monitored Portland samplers deployed in the reservoir for zebra mussel colonization.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be present, but showed a decline in abundance. While showing a large decline in numbers, the electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was still high and most (95%) were available as prey to most sportfishes. The electrofishing catch of prey-size Bluegill declined in numbers, but was still above the district average.
• Catfishes: Gill net catch of Blue Catfish declined, but 100% of the population was legal size and in good condition. Recruitment was low, but they continue to out-number Channel Catfish in abundance. Gill net catch of Channel Catfish declined. No Flathead Catfish were collected.
• White Bass: Gill net catch of White Bass increased and no Striped Bass were collected.
• Largemouth Bass: The electrofishing catch of Largemouth Bass declined, but recruitment was good and relative weights were fair for legal-size fish. Over one-half of the Largemouth Bass sample population was legally harvestable.
• Crappies: The trap netting catch of White Crappie increased, body condition and recruitment was good, and over one-half of the sample population was legal size and larger. The trap netting catch of Black Crappie was at an all-time high and the fish were in good condition. We predict a bright future for Black Crappie.

Management Strategies

• Conduct general monitoring with electrofisher, trap nets, and gill nets in 2018-2019.
• Publicize improvements to sport fishes in the reservoir to anglers.
• Inform the Lavon Reservoir U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel about new exotic species threats to Texas waters, and work with them to display appropriate signage, educate constituents, and understand appropriate enforcement actions.
• Continue to monitor immigration of invasive species into Lavon Reservoir.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program