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Lake Murvaul 2020 Survey Report media download(PDF 522.5 KB)

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Lake Murvaul - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Margaret H. Stadig and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division
Marshall District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 29-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Murvaul were surveyed using electrofishing in 2018 and 2020, trap netting in 2020, and gill netting in 2021. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2021 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 plant abundance is limited. Invasive plant species have the potential of becoming problematic in Lake Murvaul. During the 2016 vegetation survey, water hyacinth was found on the western side of the FM 1971 bridge and giant salvinia was found in multiple nearshore areas around the lake. No water hyacinth has been seen in recent years, but giant salvinia herbicide treatments are ongoing. A large-scale fish kill occurred in the reservoir during spring 2021. The event impacted numerous species.

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 were stocked in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 to maintain trophy potential. Other important sport fish include Channel Catfish and crappies, which are managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

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



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