Texoma Reservoir - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Bennett and Greg Cummings
Inland Fisheries Division
Deniston District, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the author's summary from a 37-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Texoma Reservoir were surveyed in 2023 using bass-only electrofishing and low-frequency electrofishing. Annual gill netting occurred in 2022 through 2025. Historical data are presented with the 2022-2025 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

Texoma Reservoir is a 74,686-acre impoundment on the Red and Washita Rivers on the Texas and Oklahoma border with a conservation elevation of 617 feet above mean sea level (msl). The water level fluctuates often and reached flood stage in May 2025. Texoma Reservoir typically exhibits high productivity, which can vary throughout the reservoir. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural features, rocky and gravel shoreline, and boat docks. Aquatic vegetation is typically limited. A small amount of yellow floating heart (<1 acre) has occurred near Sunset Camp Public Use area in Oklahoma since the early 2000’s. Buttonbush and flooded terrestrial vegetation provide fish cover during periods of high water.

Management History

Important sport fish included Blue and Channel Catfish, White Bass, Striped Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Black and White Crappie. Striped Bass were stocked between 1965 and 1985 and have been managed with a 10-fish bag limit, of which no more than two can be longer than 20-inches since 1996. In 2009, a special regulation was implemented for catfish. In September 2020, minimum length limits for Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish were removed to better align with Oklahoma statewide regulations. Since 2022, the harvest of Alligator Gar has been closed during May. Smallmouth Bass were introduced through four separate stockings from 1981 to 1987. Zebra mussels were first identified in the reservoir in 2009, and are monitored in cooperation with other resource agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad provide an abundant forage base for sport fish and support numerous live-bait guides. Bluegill and other sunfish species also contribute to a diverse prey base.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish are abundant. Many large Blue Catfish support a trophy fishery.
• Temperate basses: White Bass abundance fluctuates from year to year, and gill net catch rate of Striped Bass increased in 2025.
• Black basses: Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass are present in Texoma Reservoir and support popular recreational and tournament fisheries.
• Crappie: White Crappie and Black Crappie provide a popular fishery at Lake Texoma. Crappie sampling was discontinued due to inadequate catch rates in 2024.

Management Strategies

Based on current information, Texoma Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing harvest regulations. Sampling will include annual gill netting at set locations to monitor Striped Bass in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), and low-pulse electrofishing (LFE) for Blue Catfish will be conducted every three years in August. A joint electrofishing survey will be conducted with ODWC in spring 2026, and trap netting will be conducted in fall 2028 at randomly selected sites. A passive gear creel survey will be conducted with ODWC in winter 2025/2026. Lone Star Bass embayment stockings will be requested to improve trophy bass potential of the reservoir. Continue to inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.

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