Lake Texana - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Dusty McDonald and Greg Binion
Inland Fisheries Division - Corpus Christi District

This is the authors' summary from a 30-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Texana Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using trap netting, in 2022 using electrofishing (fall) and trap netting, and in 2023 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2023 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

Lake Texana Reservoir is a 9,727-acre reservoir, controlled by the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA), located on the Navidad River in the Lavaca River Basin, approximately 20 miles east of Victoria, Texas. It receives water from the Navidad River, Sandy Creek, and Mustang Creek and is used for water supply and recreation. Water level typically fluctuates 2-4 feet annually but has fluctuated as much as 12 feet.

Management History

Important sport fish species include Blue and Channel catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. Management strategies from the 2018 management plan focused on promoting the fisheries and assisting LNRA with vegetation control, determining the utility of White Bass electrofishing, and informing the public about non-native species in the reservoir. Water hyacinth and giant salvinia herbicide applications have been conducted through hired contractors with treatments in 2019 (52 acres), 2020 (59 acres), 2021 (141 acres) and 2022 (59 acres). The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) assisted as consultants for vegetation control and provided cost share for herbicide treatments.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Both Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad were in low abundance in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rates of Bluegill were also low and few fish were over 6-inches long.
• Catfish: Blue, Channel and Flathead catfish were present in the reservoir with Blue Catfish being the predominant species. Blue Catfish abundance and size structure was good and provided quality angling opportunities. Channel Catfish were present in low abundance.
• White Bass: Gill net catches of White Bass were low over the survey period. Additionally, targeted sampling to catch White Bass during the spawning run also suggested low abundance. However, a new waterbody record (17.5 inches) was reported in 2020.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance was higher than the 2018 survey. The population had an adequate balance of size classes. Largemouth Bass were in good condition.
• Crappie: Both Black and White crappie were present in the reservoir. A new waterbody record occurred in 2019 (15 inches).

Management Strategies

Continue to manage fisheries under current regulations. Continue to work with the LNRA on invasive aquatic vegetation control and consider applying for a grant to install additional artificial and/or natural fish habitat structures.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program