Moss Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

Prepared by John H. Moczygemba and Bruce Hysmith
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Moss Reservoir were surveyed in 2010 using an electrofisher and trap nets and in 2011 using gill nets. Habitat was surveyed in 2010. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Moss Reservoir is a 1,140-acre impoundment on Fish Creek, a tributary of the Red River, in Cooke County. Except in April 2009, when the water level was 12 feet above the spillway, water level has been within 2 feet of conservation pool since May 2007. The reservoir productivity has increased because of increases of housing development and agriculture use on the watershed. Habitat features consisted mainly of rocky shoreline and native submerged and emergent vegetation. Standing timber was also present.

Management History

Important sport fish include channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white bass. The management plan from the 2006 survey report included a recommendation to improve access for the physically challenged. Improvements to the handicap facilities have been done. In addition 97 surplus brood Florida bass (average 18 inches) were stocked in 2010 to supplement the Florida bass population.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of gizzard shad was low, as in previous surveys. The relative abundance of prey-size gizzard shad (< 7-inches) continued to be low. Electrofishing catch rates of threadfin shad and bluegill have decreased from previous surveys, but catch rates of longear sunfish were just above the reservoir average. Overall the prey base was adequate.
• Channel catfish: Gill net catch rate of channel catfish increased over the 2007 survey, and most of the population was legal size and in fair to excellent condition. Recruitment was evident.
• White bass: The historical catch rate of white bass has always been low and this survey had the lowest catch rate on record. The entire sample was legal size and their relative weights were moderate. This may have been the result from the low IOV for gizzard shad. Moss Reservoir is not suitable for white bass because of reservoir size and low forage base.
• Black basses: Spotted bass electrofishing catch rates were similar to past years. Their body condition was good. Electrofishing catch rate of largemouth bass was the lowest on record after a high the previous survey. Growth rates were slow; however, the fish were in good condition.
• White crappie: Trap net catch rate of white crappie was again a record high; the crappie population in the reservoir seems to be increasing. The crappie were in good condition and growth rates were average.

Management Strategies

• Collect additional largemouth bass for aging in fall 2011.
• Inform the Moss Reservoir controlling authority about new exotic species threats to Texas waters, and work with them to display appropriate signage, educate constituents, and understand appropriate enforcement actions.
• Conduct general monitoring with electrofisher, trap nets, and gill nets in 2014-2015.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program