Lewisville Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 41-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lewisville Reservoir were surveyed in 2023 using electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting and in 2024 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2023-2024 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

Lewisville Reservoir is a 29,592-acre impoundment constructed on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1954 to provide flood control, municipal and industrial water, and recreation. Much of Lewisville Reservoir is surrounded by urban development and is 25 miles northwest of Dallas, Texas in Denton County. The upper end of the reservoir is experiencing rapid development as well. Zebra mussels were discovered in Lewisville in 2012. Angler and boat access is adequate. There is one handicap specific facility on the reservoir. Water levels were variable throughout the sampling period. At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily natural shoreline, rocky shoreline, and standing timber.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, and Blue Catfish. Hybrid striped sass fingerlings are requested annually at a rate of 15 fish per acre. All species are managed with statewide regulations except for Blue and Channel Catfish, which are managed by no minimum length limit and no more than 5 fish ≥ 20 inches in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be ≥ 30 inches. The daily bag limit for Blue and Channel Catfish remains 25 in the aggregate.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Prey availability has never been an issue in Lewisville Reservoir. Gizzard and Threadfin Shad are in abundant in the reservoir. But abundance appears to have decreased and needs to be monitored. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish are also available as prey.
• Catfishes:  The Blue Catfish population continues to be good and the relative abundance of Channel Catfish remained similar to previous surveys.
• Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates was similar to previous surveys. Hybrid striped bass catch rates were higher in 2023 compared to 2024 but still higher than catch rate observed in 2020. Growth of hybrid striped bass was average. Only two-year classes were sampled in 2023.
• Black basses: Relative abundance of Spotted Bass population remained similar to previous surveys. The Largemouth Bass total catch rates were lower than previous sample. Catch rate of Largemouth Bass over 14 inches also decreased.
• Crappie: The Black and White Crappie population catch rates were much lower than previous samples.

Management Strategies

• Request hybrid striped bass fingerlings at a rate of 15/acre annually.
• Request Lone Star Bass for stocking in 2025.
• Electrofishing (2025 and 2027) and Gill netting (2026 and 2028) will be conducted every two years to monitor Largemouth Bass, prey abundance, and hybrid striped bass.
• Trap netting surveys will be conducted in 2027.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program