Striker Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Striker Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 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

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. One public boat ramp is available and bank access is adequate.

Management History

Important sport fish include catfish, black bass, crappie, and White Bass. The management plan from the 2008 survey report included stocking Blue Catfish at 50 fish/acre in 2009 and 2010. Striker Reservoir has limited habitat which has resulted in reduced fish recruitment and angler catch. In 2010, brush piles were introduced to improve angler catch. Additionally, recommendations were made to increase habitat by conducting periodic water draw downs (3-5 feet) to allow inundation of terrestrial vegetation at conservation pool.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Historically, prey abundance has been relatively low. In 2012, Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad were most abundant, and most Gizzard Shad were available as prey. Total electrofishing catch of sunfish (Warmouth, Bluegill, Longear Sunfish, and Redear Sunfish) was low.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population declined since the previous gill net survey conducted in 2009. However, most fish were legal-size. No Blue Catfish were collected during the 2013 gill net survey despite stockings in 2009 and 2010.
• White bass: White Bass were present in limited abundance. Lack of sufficient prey may be reducing survival.
• Black basses: Historically, Spotted Bass have been the most abundant. In 2012, electrofishing catch of Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass were similar and had increased from previous surveys. Both populations are characterized by smaller individuals and fish condition was adequate.
• Crappies: Only White Crappie were sampled in 2012-2013. White Crappie trap net catch was relatively high in 2008 but declined in 2012. Black Crappie were collected in 2003 and 2008.

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage all sport fish with statewide regulations.
• Deploy brushpile fish attractors throughout the reservoir. Recommend periodic water drawdowns to increase littoral habitat.
• Conduct standard monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2016-2017.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2016-2017.

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