Lost Creek Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Mark Howell and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-E, Wichita Falls, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lost Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using trap nets and electrofishing and in 2007 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a reservoir management plan based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lost Creek Reservoir is a 385-acre impoundment located on Lost Creek, a tributary of the West Fork of the Trinity River approximately 58 miles south of Wichita Falls. It has a primarily rocky shoreline with submerged and flooded terrestrial vegetation. The reservoir was within five feet of conservation pool from January of 2003 through March 2007. Lost Creek water quality was good with very little turbidity.

Management History

Historically important sport fish include channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass and white crappie. The 2002 management plan recommended reducing the largemouth bass minimum size limit from the historic 16 inches to the statewide 14 inch regulation which occurred September 1, 2003. Stocking of advanced size channel catfish was also recommended and did occur in 2006.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The gizzard shad catch rate was low and below average for the reservoir, but the index of vulnerability (IOV) remained high. The CPUE for bluegill and other sunfishes was higher than district averages and helped to supplement the reduced gizzard shad prey base. No threadfin shad were sampled by any gear despite being present in relatively high numbers during the 2002 electrofishing survey.
• Catfishes: A blue catfish was sampled for the first time in 2007. The fish might have entered the reservoir from the spillway of Jacksboro City Lake which empties into Lost Creek. In 2004, their presence was first documented in Jacksboro City Lake, most likely a result of illegal introduction. Channel catfish abundance increased since the 2003 survey. A length range of 11-21 inches was sampled in 2007. The reservoir was stocked in 2006 with 4,000 advanced channel catfish averaging 9.4 inches total length. Flathead catfish have historically been present in the reservoir and are still present as evident by two small flathead catfish sampled during the 2007 gill net survey.
• White bass: White bass remained present in relatively low abundance with sizes ranging from 7-16 inches. This species was illegally introduced by the public in 1994. The reproducing population puts an increased demand on the limited shad prey base.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass had the highest electrofishing catch rate recorded since the initial survey in 1991. Growth rates improved from 2002, but remained below ecological region averages. Relative weights improved for every inch class from 8 to 13 inches since 2002. The population is heavily dominated by sub-legal largemouth bass.
• White crappie: The catch rate for this species quadrupled from the previous trap net survey of 2002. While not as abundant as at other district lakes, crappie are often overlooked by Lost Creek anglers. The 2006 survey showed an increasing majority of above legal size fish including some smaller ones indicating a reproducing population.

Management Strategies

• Conduct general monitoring by using trap nets, gill nets and electrofishing during 2010-11.
• Conduct at least one additional creel survey beginning in spring 2008 to assess angler effort and harvest preferences.
• Consider restocking threadfin shad as a supplementary species to the prey base during 2008.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program