Toledo Bend Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe
Inland Fisheries Division – Jasper District

This is the authors' summary from a 46-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in the Texas jurisdiction of Toledo Bend Reservoir were surveyed in 2023 using electrofishing, and in 2024 using gill netting and electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed from June 2023 through May 2024 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2024 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the Texas side of the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Toledo Bend Reservoir is a 181,600-acre bi-state (70,469 acres in Texas) impoundment of the Sabine River in Newton, Sabine, and Shelby counties in southeast Texas. Water level fluctuations average 3 feet annually, but in 2019 the reservoir was lowered 7 feet below full pool for spillway repairs. Historically, aquatic habitat consisted of over 10,000 surface acres of aquatic vegetation (primarily hydrilla and American lotus) but coverage has fluctuated considerably in recent years. The primary aquatic habitat is standing timber.

Management History

Historically, the black bass fishery has been the most popular at Toledo Bend Reservoir, accounting for 65 to 85% of annual angling effort. Approximately 10% to 20% of anglers target crappie. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has stocked Florida Largemouth Bass (FLMB) annually from 1990-2021 (except 2006 and 2014) and Lone Star Bass (2nd generation offspring of pure Florida-strain ShareLunker Largemouth Bass (fish ≥ 13 pounds)] have been stocked annually from 2022-2024. Joint efforts with LDWF have resulted in standardization of all recreational harvest regulations. In 1998, giant salvinia was discovered in Toledo Bend Reservoir. In 2013, plant coverage reached the historic high (9,314 acres). Since then, water level fluctuations coupled with increased herbicide treatments and freeze events have decreased coverage substantially with a rebound beginning in 2022.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, and Bluegill were the most abundant prey species and provided ample forage for sport fish.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish abundance increased while Channel Catfish abundance decreased over the last two survey years, and high numbers of fish 12 to 30 inches were available to anglers. Catfish angling catch rate was good. Blue Catfish and Flathead Catfish provided trophy opportunities for anglers.
• Temperate basses: White Bass were present in low numbers with no fish sampled during the 2024 spring gillnet survey. Few anglers target White Bass in the reservoir with only 0.5% of the observed angler effort directed at temperate basses, but during the spawning season (January – March) the fishery is popular in the Sabine River above the reservoir.
• Black basses: Spotted Bass were present in low numbers. Largemouth Bass abundance was moderate and consistent over the past three survey years. Size structure, fish condition, and growth were relatively stable and desirable. The black bass fishery was most popular amongst all species.
• Crappies: White Crappie and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir. Angling catch (1.7/h) and total harvest (188,443 fish) reflected an abundant crappie population.

Management Strategies

• Consult with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) regarding a potential change of the daily black bass limit from 8 fish to 5 fish/day.
• Collect angler catch of trophy Largemouth Bass via the tournament-monitoring program, creel surveys, TPWD ShareLunker Program, and the Toledo Bend Lake Association Lunker Bass Program to justify FLMB stockings.
• Request annual stockings of Lone Star Bass to maximize trophy fish abundance.
• Maintain information signs, conduct annual aerial vegetation surveys, and apply herbicides when appropriate to minimize impacts of giant salvinia.
• Continue to promote fish handling procedures that reduce tournament-related mortality to minimize impacts on Largemouth Bass population and reduce conflicts with non-tournament anglers.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program