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Nocona Reservoir 2023 Survey Report

If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document, contact the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division for assistance.

 

Nocona Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Bennett and Greg Cummings
Inland Fisheries Division – Denison District

This is the authors' summary from a 32-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Nocona Reservoir were surveyed in 2023 using electrofishing and trap netting. Aquatic vegetation was surveyed in 2023. Anglers were surveyed from March 2023 through August 2023 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2023 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

Nocona Reservoir is a 1,362-acre impoundment of Farmers Creek, a tributary of the Red River, located in Montague County. In 2015, water level returned to conservation pool elevation after having been at a much lower level for a prolonged period. Water level remained near conservation pool elevation until fall of 2021 and has declined since. In 2023, the reservoir contained minimal vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass and White Crappie. Blue and Channel Catfish as well as White Bass are available to anglers. Sport fishes were managed with statewide regulations. Regulations to decrease harvest of large Blue and Channel Catfish were implemented in 2021 as part of a statewide effort to direct harvest to smaller individuals. Florida Largemouth Bass (FLMB) have been periodically stocked in the reservoir. Aquatic vegetation was problematic in the past but has become minimal in recent years. The management plan from the 2019 survey report included stocking FLMB, promoting the White Crappie and Largemouth Bass fisheries, and continuing to educate the public about the threats from invasive species.

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-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program



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