Ray Hubbard Reservoir 2016 Survey Report (PDF 947.2 KB)
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Ray Hubbard Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report
Prepared by Raphael Brock, Thomas Hungerford and Cynthia Fox
Inland Fisheries Division
Dallas/Fort Worth District
This is the authors' summary from a 33-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 2013-2016 using electrofishing and in 2016 trap netting, and in 2015 and 2017 using gill 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 above mean sea level), 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. 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 were stocked annually from 2013-2015.
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 abundant as prey. Bluegill over 6 inches are available for anglers.
- Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population continued to be excellent with large individuals available for anglers. The relative abundance of Channel Catfish has gone up after several years of decline. No flathead catfish were sampled during annual gill netting but are present.
- Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates were lower than the previous survey. Hybrid Striped Bass catch rate also 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 catch rate was the same compared to previous survey. Black Crappie catch rates increased.
Management Strategies
- Ray Hubbard reservoir has a popular Hybrid Striped Bass fishery. Maintaining the fishery requires annual stockings. Hybrid Striped Bass will be stocked annually with alternating years of fry and fingerlings.
- Summer low-frequency electrofishing, fall electrofishing, trap netting will be conducted in 2020 while spring gill netting surveys will be conducted in 2020 and 2021.
- Additional summer low-frequency will be conducted in summer of 2018 to monitor Blue Catfish population.
- 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