Oak Creek Reservoir 2018 Survey Report (PDF 1 MB)
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Oak Creek Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report
Prepared by Lynn D. Wright
Inland Fisheries Division - San Angelo 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 Oak Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2019 using gill netting and tandem hoop netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2017 through May 2018 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2019 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 levels 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 one foot above 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: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir in low density. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was lower than past surveys and IOV was poor, indicating most Gizzard Shad were too big for most predators to eat. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was similar to past surveys.
- Catfishes: Both Blue and Channel Catfish were present in the reservoir and anglers spent 10.8% of all effort directed at catfishes. Catfish up to 28 inches were observed in the creel survey.
- White Bass: White Bass gill net catch rates were the highest since 1997 with fish up to 15 inches. Four percent of all angling effort was directed towards White Bass and an estimated 843 were harvested.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rates were similar to past surveys. Largemouth Bass were the most sought-after species targeted by 47.6% of all anglers at Oak Creek Reservoir.
- White Crappie: White Crappie were the second most sought after species with 25.2% of all angling effort. An estimated 1824 crappie were harvested during the creel period.
Management Strategies
- Stock Largemouth Bass at 1000 fish/km shoreline in 2020 to take advantage of increased water levels and habitat.
- Conduct additional fall electrofishing survey in 2020 and general monitoring surveys with electrofishing surveys in 2022.
- Conduct spring bass only electrofishing in 2021 and 2023.
- Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2022.
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