Lake Tyler East - 2011 Survey Report

Prepared by Richard A. Ott, Jr. and Daniel L. Bennett
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-C, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 32-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Tyler East were surveyed in 2011 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2012 using gill netting. Vegetation and angler access surveys were conducted in August 2011. A roving creel survey, conducted from March 2012 through May 2012 collected angler use and harvest information. This report summarizes results of the surveys and contains a management plan based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Tyler East is a 2,276-acre reservoir on Mud Creek, Texas, a tributary of the Angelina River. Boat access was compromised at the three boat ramps during the survey due to low water conditions. Bank access was available at several city parks. Although facilities are generally accessible to handicapped, none of the facilities provided were specifically marked as ADA approved. Littoral habitat was sparse in the lower half of the reservoir, consisting mainly of featureless shoreline with boat docks. A narrow fringe of native emergent vegetation has historically been present in the upper end of the reservoir (above the SH 64 bridge); however, this area was inaccessible due to low water levels during the current survey.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, white crappie, and black crappie. Supplemental largemouth bass sampling was conducted in 2009, and stockings were conducted in 2009 and 2011. A hydrilla management plan was submitted to Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) in July 2006 but was revised in 2008. Marginal (up to 200 feet from shore) hydrilla treatments were conducted in 2007 and annually from 2009-2011. A roving creel survey was conducted from March through May 2012.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin shad were present in the reservoir, and electrofishing catch rate was higher than it was in in previous surveys. Size distribution of gizzard shad was better than it was in previous surveys. Electrofishing catch rates of sunfishes ≤4 inches were high, indicating excellent prey availability for sport fishes.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish still receive little directed angling effort. All catfish collected during gill netting were of harvestable size and no evidence of natural recruitment was observed. Catfish made up a small percentage of the directed angler effort.
• White bass: White bass were lower in abundance than they were in the previous survey, but multiple year classes were present, indicating continued recruitment. No directed effort for white bass was recorded.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass continued to be the most sought after species by anglers at Lake Tyler East during the 2012 spring-quarter creel survey. Electrofishing catch rate of fish ≥8 inches was similar to that of previous surveys. Size distribution, body condition, and growth were good.
• Crappie: Crappie were the second-most sought after sport fish group during the spring creel survey in 2012. Both white crappie and black crappie were present, but trap net catches of both species continue to be low. Body conditions for both species were good.

Management Strategies

• Continue biennial electrofishing; stock Florida strain largemouth bass as warranted.
• Continue annual vegetation monitoring.
• Promote Lake Tyler East angling opportunities through news releases.
• Continue providing TWU with information about the threat of invasive species.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program