Lewisville Reservoir - 2015 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 34-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lewisville Reservoir were surveyed in 2015 using electrofishing, and trap nets and in 2016 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

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. Located 25 miles northwest of Dallas, Texas in Denton County, much of Lewisville Reservoir is surrounded by urban development. The upper end of the reservoir is experiencing further 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. At the time of sampling the fisheries 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 and Channel Catfish. All species are managed with statewide regulations with the exception of Blue Catfish, which are managed by a 30- to 45-inch slot length limit. The daily bag limit for Blue and Channel Catfish remains 25 in the aggregate with only one Blue Catfish over 45 inches. Hybrid Striped Bass stocking is requested annually at a rate of 5 fish/acre. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2013 and 2014.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad are abundant in the reservoir. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish are also available as prey.
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population declined from the previous survey and the relative abundance of Channel Catfish remained similar to previous surveys. No Flathead Catfish were sampled during annual gill netting, but are present in the reservoir.
• Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates decreased from the previous survey. Hybrid Striped Bass catch rates were similar to the previous two surveys. Three year classes of Hybrid Striped Bass were collected in 2016. Growth of Hybrid Striped Bass was average.
• Black basses: Relative abundance of the Spotted Bass population was the lowest since 1997. The Largemouth Bass population increased in abundance from the previous survey, due to a strong year class in response to water level increase. The population was dominated by six- to eight-inch fish.
• Crappie: The White Crappie population increased compared to the previous survey. Condition of White Crappie was good. Black Crappie relative abundance decreased since the previous survey.

Management Strategies

• Request Hybrid Striped Bass fingerlings at a rate of 5/acre annually.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Gill netting will be conducted every two years to monitor Hybrid Striped Bass.
• Electrofishing and trap netting surveys will be conducted in 2019/2020.

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