Oak Creek Reservoir - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn D. Wright and Blake Thornton
Inland Fisheries Division - San Angelo District

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 Oak Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 and 2022 using electrofishing, in 2021 and 2023 using bass-only electrofishing, and in 2023 using gill netting.  Anglers were surveyed from June 2022 through May 2023 with a creel survey.  Historical data are presented with the 2020-2023 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

Oak Creek Reservoir is a 2,375-acre impoundment located 45 miles north of San Angelo in the northeast corner of Coke County, Texas, in the Colorado River drainage basin.  Primary uses included municipal water supply and recreation.  Extreme water level fluctuations have commonly occurred on Oak Creek Reservoir and water levels have varied over 20 feet within the past 20 years. The reservoir was about 11 feet below conservation pool at the time of sampling. Habitat consisted of featureless bank and rocky shoreline with standing timber and abundant flooded terrestrial vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish.  A variety of fish species have been stocked in the reservoir including Threadfin Shad, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. 

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was higher than previous surveys; however, less than half were available to most predators. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill in 2022 was higher than previous surveys. Most Bluegill were less than 6 inches long.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population continued to have adequate abundance, but few quality sized fish were available to anglers. Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish were present in the reservoir in low abundance.
• White Bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir and were a popular sport fish.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant with legal-size fish available to anglers.  Largemouth Bass had slower than average growth (age at 14 inches long was 3.3 years), and they tended to be thin.  Over 71% of all anglers at Oak Creek Reservoir fished for Largemouth Bass.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were moderately abundant with legal-size fish available to anglers. White Crappie were the most harvested fish by anglers.

Management Strategies

• Stock Lone Star Bass at 1000 fish/km shoreline in 2024 to enhance the genetics and maintain the trophy potential of the Largemouth Bass population in Oak Creek Reservoir.
• Conduct additional fall electrofishing survey in 2024 and general monitoring surveys with electrofishing surveys in 2026.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2026, as well as a roving creel survey in 2026-2027.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program