Martin Creek Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Quintin Dean
Inland Fisheries Division – Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Martin Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 and 2023 using electrofishing and in 2024 using gill nets. Aquatic vegetation surveys were conducted 2020-2023. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2024 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

Martin Creek Reservoir is located on Martin Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River in Rusk County. Luminant Energy impounded the reservoir in 1974 to provide cooling water for their coal-powered generators. At conservation pool, Martin Creek Reservoir is 4,981 surface acres with a shoreline length of 62 miles and a mean depth of 16 feet. Water level fluctuations average 3 to 5 feet annually.

Management History

Previous management included monitoring the reservoir for invasive aquatic vegetation and conducting herbicide treatments as necessary. Several giant salvinia introductions have been identified and quickly eliminated in previous years. In 2017, a substantial infestation of giant salvinia was discovered. After two years of herbicide treatments all salvinia plants have been reduced to trace amounts. Triploid Grass Carp were stocked from 1996 through 1999 at a rate of 0.6/acre each year to reduce hydrilla that covered approximately a third of the reservoir. This strategy eliminated much of the vegetation in the reservoir but as Grass Carp numbers declined due to annual mortality, submersed aquatic vegetation coverage has increased. Native aquatic vegetation was planted in 2012, and brush piles were deployed in 2014. Artificial fish habitat structures were placed near the state park fishing pier in 2019 to enhance fishing success.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir, but their abundance was low. Bluegill were the most abundant prey fish in the reservoir. Redbreast Sunfish and Redear Sunfish were also present as a prey fish as well and provided additional angling opportunities.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish were present during 2024 gill netting. Blue Catfish population relative abundance has been variable, but the population size distribution is desirable with fish collected up to 41 inches in 2020. The number of Channel Catfish was similar in recent gill netting surveys. Channel Catfish were the most abundant catfish species. The number of Channel Catfish over 16 inches has improved in recent years.
• White Bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir, however abundance has historically been low and not well-utilized by anglers.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance has been variable in recent electrofishing surveys. Growth of Largemouth Bass was fast, which was likely a result of warmer average water temperatures due to power plant cooling operations. The percentage of fish larger than 14 inches in the population has increased in recent years. Recent increases in aquatic vegetation abundance has been beneficial to this population.
• Crappie: Historical trap netting for White Crappie and Black Crappie has caught few fish. Therefore, netting surveys for crappie were discontinued in 2009. Few anglers interviewed fished for crappie during the 2019/2020 winter creel survey and they only accounted for 1% of the total angling effort.

Management Strategies

Conduct annual vegetation surveys to monitor for the presence and growth of giant salvinia, hydrilla, or other non-native invasive aquatic plants. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species. Continue to work with Martin Creek Lake State Park staff to promote angling opportunities in the reservoir. Conduct electrofishing surveys in fall 2026 and 2028 to monitor the Largemouth Bass and prey fish populations. Stock Lone Star Bass fingerlings in 2024 and 2026.

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