Mineral Wells Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by John H. Moczygemba and Bruce Hysmith
Inland Fisheries Division - Denison District

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Mineral Wells Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting. Habitat, vegetation, and angler access were surveyed in 2014. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Mineral Wells Reservoir, a 440-acre impoundment located on Rock Creek in Parker County, was constructed in 1920 by the U.S. Army and is situated at the east edge of Mineral Wells. Since 2012 water level has declined from conservation elevation (863 feet above mean sea level) until late April 2015, when the lake flowed over the spillway. Mineral Wells Reservoir has moderate primary productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of rocky shoreline and native emergent vegetation, especially along the shoreline.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. As part of the 2010 management plan, a catch-card creel survey was conducted in 2012 to determine angler harvest information. Stocking of advanced fingerling Channel Catfish was discontinued after the creel survey, which indicated the current Channel Catfish population could sustain the present angling pressure.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was the highest since 1992 with an abundance of fish seven inches and smaller. The electrofishing catch rate of Threadfin Shad was the highest on record. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was below average but the population still consisted mostly fish <4 inches. The prey base for Mineral Wells Reservoir in 2014 was once again robust.
• Catfishes: Not sampled in 2015 due to unsuitable water quality conditions.
• Largemouth Bass: The electrofishing catch rate of Largemouth Bass was lower than the reservoir average, but size structure was good with bass up to 23 inches in the sample. Growth rates have decreased but body condition was still good.
• White Crappie: Trap net catch rate of White Crappie was similar to 2010. However, most were young-of-the-year. Only 12.5% of the sample was legal size. The fish were in excellent condition.

Management Strategies

• Conduct standard monitoring with electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting in 2018-2019.
• Install fish attractors around fishing piers.
• Communicate fishing information on TPWD website and district Facebook page.
• Inform the Lake Mineral Wells State Park personnel about new exotic species threats to Texas waters, and work with them to display appropriate signage, educate constituents, and understand appropriate enforcement actions.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program