Lost Creek Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Tom Lang and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division - Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 20-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 2018 using electrofishing. This report summarizes the results of the survey and contains a management plan for the reservoir 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 flooded timber. Lost Creek Reservoir has an average depth of 30 feet and water clarity as measured by Secchi disc is often over seven feet or greater in depth

Management History

Historically important sport fish are Largemouth Bass with less important species including Channel Catfish, White Bass, and White Crappie being present. The Largemouth Bass minimum length limit was reduced from 16 inches to the statewide 14-inch regulation on September 1, 2003. Stocking of advanced size Channel Catfish last occurred in 2008. Threadfin Shad were stocked in the reservoir in 2008 and 2009 to boost the amount of available prey.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad continued to be present in the reservoir in low relative abundance with the majority of the population being too large for predators to consume. Bluegill relative abundance is slightly down but good numbers of small Bluegill will provide a good prey source. Threadfin Shad have been introduced on three different occasions but have never become established. Threadfin Shad were present in Jacksboro Reservoir which overflows into Lost Creek so there is a source for them to enter the reservoir. Inland Silversides were quite abundant and contribute to the prey base.
• Channel Catfish: During previous survey efforts Channel Catfish relative abundance has been consistently low. Few anglers target them, and few are caught. This species doesn’t seem to survive well in this very clear reservoir with a high density of Largemouth Bass. Sampling was not conducted for this species.
• White Bass: During previous survey efforts White Bass relative abundance has been consistently low. Few anglers target them, and few are caught. This species doesn’t seem to survive well in this very clear reservoir with a high density of Largemouth Bass. Sampling was not conducted for this species.
• Largemouth Bass: Although the catch rate was below the historical average, it was a large improvement from the 2015 survey. Body condition was good for legal length bass.
• White Crappie: During previous survey efforts White Crappie relative abundance has been consistently low. Few anglers target them, and few are caught. This species doesn’t seem to survive well in this very clear reservoir with a high density of Largemouth Bass. Sampling was not conducted for this species.

Management Strategies

• Conduct electrofishing survey in 2022 to monitor Largemouth Bass population.
• Monitor hydrilla in reservoir to assure it does not develop into a problem.
• Investigate repairing the State Park fishing pier and reopening it for anglers.

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