Mill Creek Reservoir - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by Thomas Pullen, Logan Robison, and Jake Norman
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler District, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 31-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 2022 and 2024 using electrofishing, and with trap netting in 2024. An aquatic vegetation survey was conducted in the summer of 2024. Anglers were surveyed in 2025 from March – May with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with 2022-2025 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 sportfishes include Largemouth Bass and crappie. The management plan from 2020 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. Lone Star Bass fingerlings were stocked in 2022 and 2024.

Fish Community

• Prey Species: The prey fish community in Mill Creek Reservoir was dominated by Bluegill, and other sunfish species. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high, with the majority of those fish measuring less than five inches in length. Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad catch was substantially higher than previous years and 99% of Gizzard Shad were available as forage for most sport fish.
• Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish were most recently stocked in 2020, but very few fish have been observed during population surveys and were not documented during creel surveys. 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 moderately abundant; however, catch was lower than the previous surveys. Largemouth Bass displayed adequate growth, reaching 14 inches in 2.5 years. Body condition of Largemouth Bass was good, indicating an adequate prey population. Most of the fishing effort observed was directed toward Largemouth Bass (77.4%).
• Crappies: Both White and Black Crappie were moderately abundant. Both species displayed adequate growth and good body condition. Angler catch rate and total harvest were low, however, few crappie anglers were encountered during the creel survey.

Management Strategies

• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Stock Lone Star Bass biennially at 1000/km of shoreline to increase the trophy potential in the reservoir.
• Foster partnership with the City of Canton to improve bank angling access.

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