Lake Murvaul - 2016 Survey Report

Prepared by Joseph D. Lechelt and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division
Marshall District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 36-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Murvaul were surveyed in 2016 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2017 using gill netting and tandem hoop netting. Anglers were surveyed from March 2017 through May 2017 with a spring-quarter creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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.

Management History

The trophy 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, and 2016 to maintain trophy potential. Other important sport fish include Channel Catfish and crappies, which are managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad were collected in the latest survey. Over 80% of Gizzard Shad were small enough to be available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill was the most abundant sunfish species in the reservoir.
• Channel Catfish: Gill nets and hoop nets were used to sample Channel Catfish in 2017. The 2017 gill net catch rate was slightly lower than previous surveys. Baited hoop nets collected an adequate population sample. The majority of fish collected were above the minimum legal length (12 inches). A spring-quarter creel survey showed that 16% of the total angling effort was for anglers specifically targeting Channel Catfish.
• Largemouth Bass: The electrofishing catch rate of Largemouth Bass in 2016 was similar to previous surveys, with a high number of fish collected within the 14- to 21-inch slot. Fish body condition was good, indicating adequate prey availability. The growth rate of Largemouth Bass was fast: average age of a 14-inch Largemouth Bass was 2.1 years. A spring-quarter creel showed that 31% of angling hours were specifically targeting Largemouth Bass. Angling catch rate of Largemouth Bass was 1.1 fish/h.
• Crappies: Trap net catch rates for both White Crappie and Black Crappie were low. White Crappie catch rate decreased compared to the 2012 survey, while Black Crappie catch rate increased. Crappies were the most targeted fish during the 2017 spring-quarter creel; 45% of hours fished were specifically for crappies. Angling catch rate was 1.5 fish/h.

Management Strategies

• Continue evaluation of the Largemouth Bass slot limit through population and fishery monitoring.
• Improve crappie fishing opportunities and success by adding artificial habitat structures and writing press releases for local papers.
• 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 Florida Largemouth Bass every other year to maintain the trophy 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