Lake Murvaul - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by Quintin Dean and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division
Marshall District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 35-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Murvaul were surveyed in 2022 and 2024 using electrofishing and trap nets, in 2023 with tandem hoop nets and gills nets and in 2025 using tandem hoop nets. Anglers were surveyed from June 2024 through May 2025 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2025 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

Lake Murvaul is a 3,507-acre impoundment constructed in 1958 on Murvaul Creek in the Sabine River Basin. Structural habitat is mainly inundated timber and natural shoreline features. Native aquatic vegetation is limited. Herbicide treatments to control invasive giant salvinia are on-going. A large-scale fish kill occurred in the reservoir during spring 2021 and affected multiple sport fish species. Surveys conducted after the fish kill did not indicate a large-scale impact to recreationally important fish populations.

Management History

The Largemouth Bass fishery at Lake Murvaul has been a focus of fisheries management efforts for many years. The fishery is currently managed with a 14 to 21-inch protective slot length limit with a 5-fish daily bag, of which only one fish can be greater than 21 inches. Florida Largemouth Bass have been stocked biennially since 2014 to maintain trophy potential. Other important sport fish include Channel Catfish and crappie, which are managed with statewide harvest regulations. A native aquatic plant nursery was constructed at the reservoir in 2023 as part of an effort to improve fisheries habitat within the reservoir.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was comparable to previous surveys, and most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish provided angling opportunities in addition to their role as a prey fish in the reservoir. Bluegill were the most abundant sunfish species during 2022 and 2024 electrofishing and their abundance has increased compared to the 2020 survey.
• Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish catch rates in gill nets and tandem hoop nets have been variable over the past three surveys. However, abundance and size structure have been indicative of a quality population. The population had many fish over 15 inches and fish up to 24 inches were collected.
• Largemouth Bass: Total Largemouth Bass catch rates were lower in recent surveys; however the number of fish observed over 14 inches has remained similar. Many fish within the protective slot length limit were present. The fast growth rate of Largemouth Bass has been stable over the last three surveys and fish body condition has been good.
• Crappie: White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir. White Crappie reached greater lengths, displayed faster growth and had higher abundance than Black Crappie. White Crappie over 15 inches were frequently observed during creel interviews.

Management Strategies

• Continue evaluation of the Largemouth Bass slot limit through population and fishery monitoring.
• Improve fish habitat by continuing native aquatic plant establishment projects.
• Monitor the spread of invasive plants, provide technical guidance to the controlling authority regarding invasive aquatic vegetation management, and consult with TPWD’s Aquatic Habitat Enhancement team on vegetation control as necessary.
• Stock Lone Star Bass biennially to maintain the quality of the fishery.

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