Lone Star Lake - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn D. Wright and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division - Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lone Star Lake were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing 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

Lone Star Lake is a 1,516-acre impoundment located on Ellison Creek in the Cypress River Basin in Morris County. Structural habitat is sparse, but is comprised of brush, riprap, creek channels, and boat docks. Hydrilla was discovered in the reservoir in 2006 and has slowly increased in recent surveys. A fish consumption advisory was issued due to PCB contamination in 2005.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, White Bass, and Largemouth Bass. All sport fish have historically been managed with statewide harvest regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass have been stocked in this reservoir to improve the quality of the Largemouth Bass fishery. Palmetto Bass stocking was discontinued in 2005 due to the fish consumption advisory. Hydrilla was discovered in the reservoir in 2006 and herbicide treatments were conducted in 2006 and 2007. Environmental conditions caused a reduction in native vegetation in 2010, but vegetation coverage has returned to previous levels.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was lower than previous surveys, and 37% of Gizzard Shad were small enough to be available as prey to sport fish. The electrofishing catch rate of sunfish was high, but very few sunfish were over 6-inches long.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population continued to have many fish over 12 inches. However, few fish over 20 inches have been observed in recent surveys.
• Temperate basses: White Bass were present in the reservoir. White Bass abundance has fluctuated in recent surveys, likely due to poor spawning habitat and unpredictable recruitment. Palmetto Bass have not been stocked since 2005 and are likely no longer in the reservoir.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant with many fish over 14 inches available to anglers. Largemouth Bass had above average growth and condition indicating an excellent forage base. Many Largemouth Bass in the 2-3 inch range indicated an above average year-class had been produced.
  
• Crappie: Crappie were not sampled in 2014-2015, however historically both Black and White Crappie have been present in Lone Star Lake.

Management Strategies

Conduct an additional electrofishing survey in fall 2016, and general monitoring surveys with gill nets and electrofishing surveys in 2018-2019. Annual vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor hydrilla and alligatorweed. Conduct angler creel survey during spring 2016 to assess angling effort and catch rates.

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