Texoma Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report

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

This is the author's summary from a 42-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Texoma Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 and 2014 using low-frequency electrofishing, in 2013, 2014, and 2016 using electrofishing and trap netting, and annually using gill netting. Vegetation was surveyed in 2016. Historical data are presented with the 2013-2017 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of these 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). Since the previous report, Texoma Reservoir reached its lowest water level since 1972 in 2014 of 608 feet above msl, followed by a record breaking high water level of 645 feet above msl in May of 2015. Texoma Reservoir exhibits moderate trophic productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural features, rocky and gravel shoreline, and boat docks. Aquatic vegetation is typically limited, and none was observed in a 2016 vegetation survey. Approximately 80 acres of emergent vegetation was last measured in 2008; however, abundant buttonbush (Cepthalanthus occidentalis) provides 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. In 2009, a special regulation was implemented for catfish. Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish are managed with a 12-inch minimum length limit, 15 fish daily bag of which only one fish can be >30 inches. Smallmouth Bass were introduced between 1981 and 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 abundance remains elevated due to mild winters. Bluegill and other sunfish species exhibit an abundant and diverse prey population.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish are abundant. Many large Blue Catfish support a trophy fishery.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Striped Bass are abundant and thriving after successful recruitment and above average growth following flooding in 2015.
• Black Basses: Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass are present in Texoma Reservoir and support popular recreational and tournament fisheries.
• Crappie: White Crappie support a popular fishery in Texoma Reservoir. Black Crappie are also present, but lower in abundance.

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 ODWC (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), and low-pulse electrofishing for Blue Catfish will be conducted every 3rd August. A creel survey and economic study is planned for 2018. General monitoring surveys in 2020 – 2021 require electrofishing and trap netting, at randomly selected sites and biologist selected sites.

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