Lavon Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 29-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lavon Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2019 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2017 through May 2018 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2019 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. Water level has fluctuated widely in the last decade yet has remained above or near the conservation elevation (492 feet above mean sea level) since 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 is prevalent in the upper reservoir. Aquatic vegetation is limited due to extreme water-level fluctuations. Some American lotus and water willow was present in 2018.

Management History

Important sport fishes include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, crappie, and catfish. All species are managed with statewide regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2017 to take advantage of habitat provided by high lake levels. We cooperated with U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) in posting signage and ramp stencils warning lake visitors of the potential for zebra mussel introductions. Utilizing media outlets and speaking engagements, we provided our constituents and user groups this same information. Portland samplers (Marsden 1992) deployed in the reservoir were monitored and a physical search for zebra mussel colonization was conducted in 2018. District staff served on a committee to develop a Watershed Protection Plan for Lavon Reservoir.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad were present in moderate abundance and available as prey to most fishes. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish were abundant and provide a good prey base to sport fishes.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish abundance continued to increase. Channel Catfish were collected although catch rates remained low.
• Temperate Basses: White Bass catch rate increased two-fold over the previous catch of record. Yellow Bass were also numerous.
• Largemouth Bass: Catch rate of Largemouth Bass was twice the historical average. Spawning success in recent years has increased the number of young fishes in the reservoir.
• Crappie: White Crappie were abundant with many legal-size fish available to anglers. Black Crappie were also present in lower abundance.

Management Strategies

• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and an electrofishing survey in 2022-2023.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2022.

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