Sheldon Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Dylan Kwak and Niki Ragan-Harbison
Inland Fisheries Division – College Station-Houston District

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 Sheldon Lake were surveyed in 2023 and 2024 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2023-2024 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

Sheldon Lake is an 893-acre reservoir in Sheldon Lake State Park on Carpenters Bayou, a tributary of the San Jacinto River, in Harris County, Texas. The reservoir has a drainage area of 19 square miles and a shoreline length of 13.1 miles, including the islands. The reservoir has a mean depth of 3 feet and a maximum depth of 10 feet. Sheldon Lake was acquired by TPWD in 1952 for use as a waterfowl sanctuary and public fishing site. It is a highly productive coastal wetland ecosystem that hosts a diverse community of vegetation, fish, and wildlife species that attract anglers, boaters, and wildlife viewers from across the state. 

Management History

Sheldon Lake has been managed for diverse fisheries – such as Bowfin and the occasional Grass Pickerel – and traditional fisheries like Largemouth Bass and panfish. However, excess vegetation has regularly caused access issues and much of the management history of Sheldon Lake focuses on reducing exotic vegetation and maintaining a balanced ecosystem that is accessible to visitors. The reservoir lies within Sheldon Lake State Park and many management decisions and actions are a cooperative effort with state park staff and the Aquatic Habitat Enhancement (AHE) team.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish were present in the reservoir. Gizzard Shad were large and unavailable to existing predators. Small-bodied Bluegill and Redear Sunfish were common and available as prey. Large Redear Sunfish were also observed, providing a possible target for panfish anglers.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish are only present in Sheldon Reservoir as a put-grow-and-take fishery from occasional stockings of surplus fish. Blue Catfish fingerlings were last stocked in 2015, and no catfish of either species was collected during 2019 or 2023 electrofishing surveys.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were present with individuals available for harvest. Fish were in good condition. Florida Largemouth Bass genetic influence has held steady since 2004, with 60-70% Florida influence. The lake-record Largemouth Bass, caught in 2018, was 11.16 lbs. and 25.00 inches..
• Crappie: Both Black Crappie and White Crappie were present in 2019, but only Black Crappie were collected in 2023.

Management Strategies

The primary challenge at Sheldon Lake is aquatic vegetation management. Aquatic nuisance species surveys will be conducted annually, herbicide treatments performed as necessary to improve angler access, and efforts to inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species and preventive measures will continue. Will continue to explore funding opportunities for angler access improvements in cooperation with State Parks and Infrastructure divisions. Electrofishing and angler access surveys will be conducted every four years.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program