Possum Kingdom Reservoir - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Wes Dutter and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division - Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 55-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Possum Kingdom Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 and 2022 using electrofishing and 2022 using trap netting and gill netting in 2021 and 2023. Anglers were surveyed from September 2020 through May 2021 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

Possum Kingdom Reservoir is a 15,588-acre impoundment located on the Brazos River approximately 76 miles west of Fort Worth. It has a primarily rocky shoreline with many boat docks. The reservoir was within two feet of conservation pool from January 2019 to January 2022 and then receded to seven feet below conservation pool around January 2023. Possum Kingdom has had a history of golden alga caused fish kills since the early 2000’s, though recent events have been rather isolated in scope.

Management History

Important sport fish populations include catfish spp., White Bass, Striped Bass, and Largemouth Bass. Possum Kingdom was managed under statewide regulations until September 1, 2002, when the Largemouth Bass minimum length limit was raised to 16 inches and the Striped Bass bag limit was lowered to two per day in response to a golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) fish kill that occurred in early 2001. The Striped Bass bag limit was returned to the statewide bag limit on September 1, 2012. The Largemouth Bass length limit returned to the statewide 14-inch minimum on September 1, 2018. The statewide combined Channel and Blue Catfish regulation changed September 1, 2021, from a 25 fish bag limit with a 12-inch minimum length limit to a 25 fish bag limit (in any combination, only 10 fish 20-inch or greater in length), no length limit. Major golden alga mortality events have occurred in 2001, 2003, 2007, and 2010. Smallmouth Bass were stocked in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to rebuild the population. Artificial habitat has been placed around the reservoir since 2013.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was below the historical average, and few Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most predators. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was around the historical average, with Bluegill up to 10-inches sampled.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish relative abundance was below the historical average. While Blue Catfish were above the historical average. Body condition for both species were considered good with Blue Catfish exhibiting better condition as length increased. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir. A nine-month creel survey completed in 2020-2021 determined that catfishes were the third most targeted fish family in the reservoir.
• Temperate basses: White Bass relative abundance has remained constant the last four years with good body condition. Striped Bass relative abundance has been much higher than the historical average thanks in part to natural reproduction occurring during some exceedingly high precipitation years. Striped Bass body condition is a concern as it declines with increasing length. Temperate bass were the second most popular group of fish targeted in the reservoir with many guides targeting them.
• Black bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance was slightly above the historical average. Body condition was considered good. Four legacy class Sharelunkers have been caught in the past two years. Largemouth Bass had average growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.2 years). Smallmouth Bass were stocked in 2020-2022 and three were sampled during electrofishing. Nearly 63% of all anglers at Possum Kingdom Reservoir targeted black bass.
• Crappies: White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir in low relative abundance. Few anglers during the creel survey were targeting crappie.

Management Strategies

• Continue placement of artificial habitat when funding allows and use natural brush to supplement artificial structures when possible.
• Continue to request stocking Striped Bass.
• Collect data on trophy-sized Largemouth Bass from the ShareLunker reporting program.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct electrofishing surveys in 2024 and 2026, and gill netting in 2025 and 2027.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2026.

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