Pat Mayse Reservoir - 2008 Survey Report

Prepared by Kevin W. Storey and Aaron Jubar
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-B, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Pat Mayse Reservoir were surveyed in 2008 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2009 using gill netting. Aquatic vegetation and habitat surveys were conducted on Pat Mayse Reservoir during July 2008. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Pat Mayse Reservoir is a 5,940-acre impoundment located in Lamar County, Texas, on Sanders Creek, a tributary of the Red River. It was constructed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1967 for flood control, and as a municipal and industrial water supply. The major habitat components observed were native emergent vegetation, native floating macrophytes, and standing timber. Total vegetation coverage was less than 2% of reservoir surface area. Hydrilla coverage was estimated at <0.1 acre, less than previous estimates in summer 2004 (6.1 acres) and summer 2000 (30.2 acres) (Storey and Jubar 2005).

Management History

Largemouth bass, white bass and channel catfish are the most important sport fishes present. The fisheries management plan from the 2004 survey report recommended monitoring the largemouth bass population through electrofishing, monitoring the genetic influence of Florida largemouth bass using fin-tissue samples from age-0 fish collected during fall electrofishing and continuing to monitor the reservoir’s hydrilla infestation.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Abundant clupeid (threadfin and gizzard shad) and sunfish populations provided adequate prey for largemouth bass, white bass, palmetto bass, and channel catfish. The majority of gizzard shad, bluegill and redear sunfish collected in 2008 were available as prey for adult predators.
• Catfishes: The channel catfish population shows evidence of natural recruitment, but the majority of fish collected during spring 2009 gill netting were of legal size and all size classes exhibited favorable relative weights.
• Temperate basses: The white bass population has been slow to recover from a large fish kill in summer 2005 and the palmetto bass population continues to decline since this population is no longer maintained by stocking.
• Black basses: The largemouth bass population showed evidence of good natural recruitment following two years of stable water levels, resulting in improved survival. Body condition was typically favorable, indicating adequate prey availability.
• Crappie: Both white and black crappies were present in the reservoir, but catch rates were low.

Management Strategies

Continue with standard fisheries monitoring in 2012-2013 and conduct additional electrofishing survey in 2010 to monitor the largemouth bass population. Monitor the City of Paris’ plans to sell water from Pat Mayse Reservoir, its impact on the reservoir’s water elevation and its affect on recreational users and fish populations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-34 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program