Lake Pinkston - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division – Jasper District

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Pinkston Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 and 2019 using electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed from March 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

Pinkston Reservoir is an impoundment of Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Attoyac Bayou in the Neches River Basin. The City of Center is the controlling authority. Primary uses are water supply and recreation. This reservoir has a surface area of 447 acres at conservation pool (300 feet above mean sea level), a shoreline length of 4 miles, and an average depth of 20 feet. Water level fluctuations average 1 - 3 feet annually. Boat access is provided via two boat ramps, but they are in need of repair. Bank access is limited to areas around the public boat ramps and the dam.

Management History

Largemouth Bass are the primary sport fish, but crappies are also present. The 14-18 inch slot-length limit for Largemouth Bass (implemented in 1991) was changed to a 14-21 inch slot-length limit in 2001. Prior to 2000, hydrilla had been problematic, and coverage exceeded 50% of the reservoir surface area. In 1997, the City of Center stocked triploid Grass Carp at a rate of 7 fish/vegetated acre (2,100 fish total) in an attempt to reduce hydrilla coverage to 30%. Since 2000, hydrilla coverage has varied considerably (range = 2 - 255 acres). Although giant salvinia was discovered in the reservoir in 2006, it was eradicated via manual removal several months after introduction.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish were the most abundant prey species and provided ample forage for sport fish.  
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant. Size structure has remained consistent over the last three survey years with a high abundance of fish within the protective slot length limit. Largemouth Bass had desirable growth rates and were in average body condition. Over 85% of anglers fished for Largemouth Bass, angler catch rates were high (1.4 fish/h), and no harvest was observed.
• Crappie: Anecdotal information indicated that the crappie fishery has historically been cyclical but productive during some years. No directed angling effort was observed during spring creel surveys in 2008 and 2012. However, in 2018 anglers directed 13% of fishing effort to crappie. Catch was low (0.1 fish/h) and no harvest was observed. Trap netting was discontinued in 2003 due to low catch (<0.6/nn).

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage Largemouth Bass with 14-21 inch slot-length limit.
• In 2020, explore angler opinion regarding a potential change to a 16-inch maximum length limit.
• Permit lakeside homeowners to control hydrilla (at homeowner expense) adjacent to their property with a TPWD-approved Aquatic Vegetation Treatment Proposal.
• Continue to inform the City of Center of funding opportunities from the Boating Access Program for boat ramp improvements.

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