Mill Creek Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by David R. Smith, Quintin Dean, and Jake Norman
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler South District, Tyler, Texas

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 Mill Creek Reservoir were surveyed in the fall of 2020 using electrofishing and trap netting. An aquatic vegetation survey was conducted in the summer of 2020. An additional electrofishing survey was conducted in fall 2018 to monitor Largemouth Bass and an additional hoop netting survey was conducted in summer 2019 to monitor Channel Catfish. Historical data are presented with 2018–2020 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

Mill Creek Reservoir is a 237-acre impoundment located in Van Zandt County, Texas, on Mill Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. The reservoir was constructed by the City of Canton in 1976 for municipal water supply. Habitat features consisted primarily of submersed and emergent vegetation.

Management History

Important sportfish include Largemouth Bass and crappie. The management plan from 2017 included continuing to manage for a trophy Largemouth Bass fishery and continuing efforts to establish a variety of native submersed and emergent aquatic vegetation. Efforts were made to establish desirable native species of aquatic vegetation in the reservoir with a series of plantings within enclosure cages and a floating wetland. Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings were stocked in 2018.

Fish Community

• The prey fish community of Mill Creek Reservoir was dominated by Bluegill, and other sunfish species. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high, with approximately two-thirds of those fish measuring less than five inches in length. Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad catch was moderate; however, less than 25% of Gizzard Shad were available as forage for most sport fish.
• Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish were present in the 2019 survey but in low abundance. Channel Catfish in the reservoir suffer from poor recruitment, likely the result of predation by Largemouth Bass and insufficient spawning habitat.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were fairly abundant, with moderate numbers of fish in the 14- to 21-inch protected slot limit. Largemouth Bass displayed adequate growth, reaching 14 inches in two years. Body condition of Largemouth Bass was good, indicating an adequate supply of prey.
• Crappies: Both White and Black Crappie were moderately abundant. Both species displayed adequate growth and good body condition.

Management Strategies

• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Continue to manage the Largemouth Bass population with a 14–21-inch protected slot limit.
• Stock Florida Largemouth Bass biennially at 1000/km of shoreline to increase the trophy potential in the reservoir.
• Assess aquatic vegetation growth biennially, beginning with a summer survey in 2022.
• Conduct electrofishing and trap net surveys in the fall of 2024 and an additional electrofishing survey to monitor Largemouth Bass in the spring of 2022.
• Assess angler effort, catch, harvest, and expenditures through a spring-quarter creel survey in 2025.
• Improve bank angling access through the purchase and installation of several fishing piers near the boat ramp.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program