Martin Creek Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Margaret H. Stadig
Inland Fisheries Division – Marshall 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 Martin Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing and in 2020 using gill nets and baited tandem hoop nets. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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 plans included working collaboratively with Martin Creek State Park and Luminant Energy to prevent additional introductions of giant salvinia. Annual aquatic vegetation surveys were conducted to ensure that a rapid response could occur if giant salvinia was reintroduced. State Park personnel have been vigilant in inspecting boat trailers. Several giant salvinia introductions have been identified and quickly eliminated. In 2017, an additional infestation of giant salvinia was discovered. After two years of herbicide treatments all salvinia plants have been eliminated. Triploid grass carp were stocked from 1996 through 1999 at a rate of 0.6/acre each year to reduce hydrilla that covered about a third of the reservoir. Native aquatic vegetation was introduced in 2012, and brushpiles were deployed in 2014. Artificial fish habitat structures were placed near the state park fishing pier in 2019 to enhance fishing success. Submersed aquatic vegetation coverage has increased in recent years.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir, but their abundance is low. Bluegill are the most abundant prey fish in the reservoir. Redbreast Sunfish were also abundant as a prey fish as well as for an additional angling opportunity.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish were present during 2020 gill netting. The Blue Catfish population has been stable with fish collected as long as 41 inches. The number of Channel Catfish has increased over the last three gill netting surveys. Channel Catfish were the most abundant catfish species. During a 2019/2020 winter angler survey, 4% of hours fished were directed at catfishes.
• White Bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir in low abundance. They were not intentionally stocked but may have been introduced through water transferred from the Sabine River to maintain the reservoir water level for power plant operation. This population is not expected to provide a large component to the overall fishery due to limited spawning habitat.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass numbers have steadily increased 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. Largemouth Bass received over 92% of directed angling effort during the 2019/2020 winter angler creel survey from tournament and non-tournament bass anglers. The anglers released 98% of all legal-sized fish that were caught.
• 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.

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