Striker Reservoir - 2008 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-D, Jasper, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Striker Reservoir were surveyed from June 2008 through May 2009 using fall electrofishing, gill netting, and trap netting. Vegetation and access surveys were also conducted in 2008. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Striker Reservoir is an impoundment of Striker Creek, a tributary of the Angelina River in the Neches River Basin. The Angelina-Nacogdoches County Water Control and Improvement District is the controlling authority. Primary uses are flood control, condenser cooling for a steam-electric generating plant, and recreation. This reservoir has a surface area of 1,920 acres at conservation pool (292 feet msl), a shoreline length of 13.7 miles, and an average depth of 15 feet. Water level fluctuations average 1-3 feet annually. Boat access is available with a boat ramp present. Bank access is adequate.

Management History

Important sport fish include channel catfish, spotted bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie. General statewide fishing regulations apply. A 14- to 18-inch slot length limit for largemouth bass was in effect from 1993 through 1999. Historically, primary production and subsequent prey abundance has been limited. Lack of vegetative habitat (1.3% of surface area) also has contributed to poor fish recruitment and survival. In 1998 and 1999, palmetto bass were stocked (153,238 fish total) in an attempt to provide an additional fishery with no success.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard shad and threadfin shad were present in the reservoir, and overall abundance increased in 2008. Electrofishing catch of bluegill was low; no fish were over 6 inches in length. Other prey species included longear, redear, and spotted sunfish.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish abundance and body condition were adequate.
• White bass: White bass are present in limited abundance. Lack of sufficient prey may be hindering survival as evidenced with the poor palmetto bass stocking survival.
• Black basses: Spotted bass is the prevalent black bass present. Abundance has declined since 1999. The population is characterized by smaller individuals. Condition of the fish present was good. Historically, largemouth bass abundance has been low. Size structure has remained consistent and skewed toward smaller sizes. Largemouth bass were in moderate condition. The current largemouth bass water body record is 11.10 lbs set in March 2004.
• Crappies: White crappie and black crappie were present in the reservoir. In 2008, white crappie were the predominate species sampled, and relative abundance increased significantly.

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage all sport fish with general statewide limits.
• Explore potential factors limiting primary production and vegetative coverage.
• Conduct standard monitoring with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofisher in 2012-2013.
• Lack of vegetative habitat limits fish abundance and recruitment. Investigate water quality parameters and sediment to determine if lack of vegetation is due to chemical or physical constraints.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-34 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program