Mill Creek Reservoir 2016 Survey Report (PDF 922.3 KB)
If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document, contact the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division for assistance.
Mill Creek Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report
Prepared by Evan C. Cartabiano and Kevin W. Storey
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler South District,
Tyler, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 28-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 2016 using electrofishing and trap netting. An aquatic vegetation survey was conducted on Mill Creek Reservoir in July 2016 and a bathymetric survey was completed in 2017. An additional electrofishing survey was conducted in fall 2014 to monitor Largemouth Bass. Historical data are presented with the 2016 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. At conservation elevation, most of the available habitat in the reservoir consists of emergent aquatic vegetation, which occurs along much of the shoreline. In recent surveys, native submerged vegetation has been scarce.
Management History
Largemouth Bass and crappies are the most important sport fishes. The management plan from the 2012 survey report recommended conducting routine monitoring of the Largemouth Bass population. The lack of habitat in the reservoir has been identified as a topic of concern.
Fish Community
- Prey species: The prey fish community of Mill Creek Reservoir is dominated by Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and other sunfish species. Electrofishing CPUE of Bluegill was high, with most fish measuring less than 5 inches in length. Redear Sunfish were also abundant, with many greater than 6 inches observed. Threadfin Shad were less abundant than Gizzard Shad. The majority of Gizzard Shad collected were an appropriate size for predators.
- Catfishes: No Channel or Blue Catfish were collected in the spring 2013 gill netting survey. A few large Blue Catfish were captured in 2005, the last year when either species was collected. These species are suffering from poor recruitment, likely the result of predation by Largemouth Bass and insufficient spawning habitat was noted during mapping.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were fairly abundant, with moderate numbers of fish collected in the protective 14- to 21-inch slot length limit. Largemouth Bass had average growth, reaching 14 inches in 2.1 years. Body condition of Largemouth Bass tended to be good, indicating an adequate supply of prey.
- Crappies: Both White and Black Crappie were reasonably abundant. Nearly half of the fish collected were above the 10-inch size limit.
Management Strategies
- Continue to manage the Largemouth Bass population as a big-fish fishery with a 14-21” slot limit. Stock Florida Largemouth Bass to maintain big-fish potential.
- Improve fish habitat by planting native aquatic vegetation.
- Educate the public about the threat of invasive species.
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