Lake Raven 2013 Survey Report (PDF 457.9 KB)
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Lake Raven - 2013 Survey Report
Prepared by Mark Webb, Mike Gore and Alice Best
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-E,
Snook Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Lake Raven were surveyed in 2013 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2014 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from March 2013 through May 2013 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2013-2014 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
Lake Raven is a 203-acre reservoir located in Huntsville State Park. The reservoir was repaired and re-impounded in 1956 by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for recreational use.
Management History
Lake Raven has a history of producing trophy Largemouth Bass. The population has been managed with a catch-and-release regulation since September 1996. The regulation allows the angler to retain Largemouth Bass measuring > 24 inches for weighing on a personal scale in the boat with subsequent release or, if weighing 13 pounds or more, donation into the Toyota ShareLunker Program. Lake Raven has been included in the Operation World Record (OWR) program, a project designed to compare growth of selectively-bred ShareLunker Largemouth Bass fingerlings to resident bass fingerlings.
Alligatorweed, hydrilla, giant salvinia and water hyacinth have all been problem exotic plants to varying degrees at different times. Aquathol, Galleon, Glyphosate, Diquat, and Stingray have all been used for chemical treatments. In addition, Grass Carp, hydrilla flies, and alligator weed flea beetles have been used as biological control agents. Mechanical control and manual removal have also been used as part of an integrated pest management approach.
Fish Community
- Prey species: The prey fish community at Lake Raven consisted primarily of Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish. Gizzard Shad were also present but provided limited forage.
- Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were present in Lake Raven as a result of stocking but the populations have not maintained themselves through natural reproduction and recruitment.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant in Lake Raven and provided high quality angling opportunities. The lake has a history of producing trophy Largemouth Bass. Lake Raven has received periodic stockings of ShareLunker offspring as part of the OWR program.
- Crappie: Crappies were present but not a significant component of the fishery at Lake Raven. Trap net catches in monitoring surveys have been low.
Management Strategies
We will monitor the Largemouth Bass population every two years in the fall with electrofishing or as appropriate as part of the OWR program. Largemouth Bass genetics will be assessed, and additional ShareLunker Largemouth Bass fingerlings will be stocked as dictated by the OWR program. Crappie populations will also be monitored during electrofishing surveys. Catfish populations will be monitored every 4 years by gill nets with surplus catfish fingerlings requested for stocking when available. An access point creel survey will be conducted in the spring of 2017. We will continue to work with park personnel to assess exotic vegetation coverage and implement treatment strategies including native vegetation plantings and bio-control efforts as needed.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-4 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program