Ray Hubbard Reservoir - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock and Cynthia Holt
Inland Fisheries Division
Dallas/Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 42-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Ray Hubbard Reservoir were surveyed with a yearlong creel in 2022 and 2023, 2022 and 2024 using electrofishing, trap netting in 2024, gill netting in 2022 and 2025. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Ray Hubbard Reservoir is a 22,745-acre impoundment constructed on the East Fork of the Trinity River by the City of Dallas in 1968 to provide water for municipal, industrial, and recreational purposes. Ray Hubbard Reservoir lies within Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and Kaufman counties. The reservoir is part of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. The reservoir has a 1,074 square-mile watershed that lies in the Blackland Prairies ecological region. The reservoir is 13 miles long and 3 miles wide (widest point). It contains 452,040 acre-feet of water at conservation elevation (435.5 ft above mean sea level) and has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Bank and boat access are adequate. At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily standing timber, native emergent vegetation, eroded banks, and rocky habitat in the form of riprap. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is present and has historically provided fish habitat. However, for the last several years the hydrilla coverage has been minimal.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, crappie, White Bass, hybrid striped bass, and Blue and Channel Catfish. All species are managed with statewide regulations. Hybrid striped bass are requested annually for stocking and provide a popular fishery. The reservoir has a population of large Blue Catfish and has produced ShareLunker Largemouth Bass. Florida Largemouth Bass have historically been stocked frequently.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present and catch rate was very high. Gizzard Shad were also present in good abundance. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish were also abundant as prey. Bluegill over 6 inches are available for anglers.
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population continued to be excellent with excellent recruitment and large individuals available for anglers. The relative abundance of Channel Catfish continues to be low. No Flathead Catfish were not sampled but are present.
• Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates were high. Hybrid striped bass catch rate was below reservoir average but higher than previous samples.
• Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass catch rate was higher than the past several surveys with good size structure. Catch rate of fish ≥ 14 was average but lower than previous sample.
• Crappie: The crappie population catch rate was average when compared to previous survey. Black Crappie catch rates increased.

Management Strategies

Ray Hubbard Reservoir has a popular White and hybrid striped bass fishery, and quality Largemouth Bass and Blue catfish populations. Maintaining the hybrid striped bass fishery requires annual stockings. Hybrid striped bass will be requested for stocking annually with fingerlings. An additional fall electrofishing survey and spring gill netting survey will be conducted to monitor Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, and hybrid striped bass populations. Lone Star Bass will also be requested for stocking because of the reservoir history of producing trophy Largemouth Bass. Annual exotic vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor hydrilla abundance.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program