Nacogdoches Reservoir - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe
Inland Fisheries Division
Jasper District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 31-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Nacogdoches were surveyed in 2023 and 2025 using spring electrofishing and in 2024 using fall electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed from March 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 Nacogdoches is located on Loco Bayou, a tributary of the Angelina River in the Neches River basin. The City of Nacogdoches is the controlling authority. Primary uses are municipal water supply and recreation. At conservation pool elevation, Lake Nacogdoches is 2,212 surface acres and has a mean depth of 15 feet. Water level fluctuations average 3 feet annually. Habitat in the lake consists of submersed and emergent aquatic vegetation (mainly hydrilla, American lotus, and torpedograss) and standing timber. Most of the land around the reservoir is utilized for timber production, agriculture, and residential use.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Black Crappie. The 14- to 21-inch slot-length limit for Largemouth Bass (implemented in 1988) was changed to a 16-inch maximum length limit in 2008. To increase to increase trophy abundance of Largemouth Bass (> 8 pounds), fingerlings have been stocked annually (Florida Largemouth Bass from 2008–2021 ((except for 2012-2014)), ShareLunker Largemouth Bass stocked in 2008, 2020, 2022, 2023 and Lone Star Bass from 2022 to 2025). Giant salvinia was first discovered in 2018 and has been maintained at less than 5 surface acres through herbicide treatments and the introduction of giant salvinia weevils since 2023.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Primary prey species include Threadfin Shad and Bluegill. Both populations were abundant and provided ample forage for sport fish. The majority of Bluegill observed during electrofishing were less than 5 inches in length and available as prey. Few anglers target sunfish. Gizzard Shad were also present but abundance were relatively low.
• Channel Catfish: Historically, abundance of Channel Catfish has been relatively low. Gill net surveys were discontinued in 2016. Few anglers targeted catfish at Lake Nacogdoches.
• Black basses: Historically, Spotted Bass have been present in low abundance. Largemouth Bass were abundant. Growth rates were adequate, and fish were in acceptable condition. A high-quality Largemouth Bass fishery exists and accounts for most of the angling effort. Directed angler effort has remained stable, and angler catch rates remained relatively high and stable.
• Crappies: Crappies represented an important component of the overall sport fishery in 2025. Angler catch rate was high.

Management Strategies

• Request annual stockings of Lone Star Bass to maximize trophy fish abundance.
• Promote the ShareLunker Program to increase reporting rates of trophy Largemouth Bass catch and justify Lone Star Bass stockings.
• Continue to monitor trends of hydrilla and giant salvinia coverage through annual aquatic vegetation surveys.

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