Ray Hubbard Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-D, Fort Worth, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 32-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Ray Hubbard Reservoir were surveyed in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 using electrofishing, 2011 and 2013 using gill netting, and 2009 and 2012 using trap netting. 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-msl), and has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Angler and boat access is adequate.

At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily dead trees, emergent vegetation, and eroded banks. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is present and has historically provided fish habitat and currently has no detrimental effects on access or the fish populations.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, Palmetto Bass, and Blue and Channel Catfish. All species are managed with statewide regulations. Palmetto 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 were stocked annually from 2010-2012.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were collected in great abundance. Gizzard Shad were also present in good abundance. Bluegill and Longear sunfish were also very abundant as prey. Bluegill over 6 inches are available for anglers.
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population continued to be good with large individuals available for anglers. The relative abundance of Channel Catfish declined since the previous survey. No flathead catfish were sampled during annual gill netting but are present.
• Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates nearly doubled from the previous survey. Palmetto Bass catch rate declined when compared to the previous survey.
• Largemouth bass: The Largemouth Bass population has remained good over the past several years with good size structure. The Florida Largemouth Bass influence is high.
• Crappie: The White Crappie population returned to near normal abundance compared to previous surveys. Black Crappie catch rates increased.

Management Strategies

• Ray Hubbard reservoir has a popular Palmetto Bass fishery. Maintaining the fishery requires annual stockings. Palmetto Bass will be stocked annually with alternating years of fry and fingerlings. Florida Largemouth Bass will also be requested to increase the Florida genetics on the population. Courtesy docks are still needed on several public boat ramps maintained by the City of Dallas. General monitoring with gill netting will be conducted every two years to evaluate Palmetto Bass population. Electrofishing surveys will continue to be conducted annually to monitor Largemouth Bass and prey species populations. 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-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program