Palo Pinto Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division – Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 33-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Palo Pinto Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, trap netting, and in 2020 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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

Palo Pinto Reservoir is a 2,399-acre impoundment located in Palo Pinto County on Palo Pinto Creek in the Brazos River Basin approximately 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth. It was constructed in 1964 to provide municipal water for Mineral Wells, Texas and cooling water for the Brazos Electric power plant. It has a primarily rocky shoreline with boat docks. Rocky shoreline and standing timber were the dominant habitat features. Boat access was adequate at two of the three boat ramp sites of which only one is considered public. Periodic turbidity, fluctuating water levels, and rocky substrate inhibit the growth of most aquatic vegetation. Early in 2015, the reservoir nearly went dry because of a severe drought but quickly refilled after heavy precipitation. The drought had a negative impact on the fish populations.

Management History

Important sport fishes include White Bass, Palmetto Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfishes. The management plan from the 2016 survey report included stocking Palmetto Bass at 15 fish/acre every year and were stocked in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Sunshine Bass fry were stocked in 2020 since Palmetto Bass fingerlings were not available. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2015 and 2016 in response to the reservoir filling up after a prolonged drought period.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir, though not in high abundance. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was the highest documented, and most Gizzard Shad were of a length making them available as prey to most sport fishes. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was average, but very few Bluegill over 6-inches long were collected.  
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population has recovered nicely since the reservoir refilled in 2015. Low-frequency electrofishing found an abundance of smaller fish that should recruit to the fishery in the coming years. There were also legal-sized fish available to anglers and what would qualify as a new waterbody record was sampled during the gill net surveys. No Channel Catfish were sampled but have in the past been present in low abundance. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Palmetto Bass were present in the reservoir. Catch rates of both species were among the highest we have seen during gill net surveys.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance has remained consistent since the reservoir refilled in 2015. The abundance of legal-length bass has increased steadily since the reservoir has recovered from the drought and is anticipated to continue to improve. 
• White Crappie: White Crappie catch rate was the highest we have recorded with an abundance of legal-length fish available to anglers. Body condition was excellent.

Management Strategies

• Continue annual stocking requests of Palmetto Bass at 15 fish/acre.
• Conduct additional gill net survey examining hybrid Striped Bass in 2022.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct general monitoring surveys including access and vegetation surveys as well as examine fish populations with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2023-2024.
• Monitor progress of the plans and construction of Turkey Peak Reservoir which will connect with Palo Pinto Reservoir.

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