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Possum Kingdom Reservoir 2010 Survey Report media download(PDF 320.5 KB)

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Possum Kingdom Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

Prepared by Mark Howell and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-E, Wichita Falls, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 35-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 2010 using trap nets and electrofishing and in 2011 using gill nets. This report summarizes the survey results and contains a management plan based on the 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 5 feet of conservation pool (1,000 ft. above mean sea level) from January of 2007 through May 2011.

Management History

Important sport fish include catfish, white bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, and crappie. 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. Golden alga mortality events also reoccurred in 2003, 2007, and 2010.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Catfish, white bass, crappie and largemouth bass all provide good fishable populations and should be promoted to increase angler effort. The striped bass population and associated fishing effort has definitely declined since the initial golden alga fish kill in 2001. Annual stockings of striped bass will continue to be requested, although none were available from state hatcheries in 2011. Also propose a regulation change for striped bass from the more restrictive two fish bag to the statewide five fish bag. Florida largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked in 2011. Previous golden alga fish kills may have given anglers a more negative expectation than is warranted about certain fish populations. Continuing news release efforts will be needed.

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program