Lake Tyler West - 2007 Survey Report

Prepared by Patrick A. Beck and Richard A. Ott, Jr.
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-C, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

The Lake Tyler West fish community was surveyed from June 2007 to May 2008 using electrofisher, gill nets, and trap nets. A vegetation survey was conducted in August 2007. A roving creel survey, conducted from December 2004 to February 2005 and March 2008 to May 2008, 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 West is a 2,224-acre reservoir on Prairie Creek, Texas, a tributary of the Angelina River. The reservoir was built to provide water for municipal and industrial purposes. Boat and bank access are adequate. Although facilities were generally accessible to the physically-challenged, none were specifically marked as ADA approved. Littoral habitat in the lower two thirds of the reservoir consisted mainly of featureless shoreline, boat docks, and bulkhead. Littoral emergent vegetation (primarily maidencane) occupied 53.2 acres. Native submersed vegetation (primarily stonewort and pondweed) occupied only 11.8 surface acres.

Management History

Important sportfish include sunfishes, largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie and black crappie. The reservoir is currently managed under the statewide fishing regulations. Biennial electrofishing surveys were conducted to assess the reservoir’s largemouth bass population. Supplemental largemouth bass sampling was conducted in 2004 and stockings were conducted in 2004 and 2005.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate of gizzard shad increased. Catch rates of sunfishes ≤6 inches was average and overall prey availability was adequate for sportfishes.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish population was improving as TPWD and the City of Tyler continued to stock advanced fingerlings in late spring.
• Temperate basses: White bass, once a rare catch at Tyler West, are now abundant and available for harvest. Excellent spawning conditions in spring of 2007 yielded a strong year-class.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were the most sought after species by anglers at Lake Tyler West. Size structure and abundance continued to improve. A strong year-class in 2007 was a result of low water in 2006 followed by high rainfall creating nursery habitat.
• Crappie: Crappie were the second most sought after sportfish during creel surveys. Both white crappie and black crappie were present, but were in low abundance.

Management Strategies

• Additional electrofishing will be conducted in fall 2009 to monitor largemouth bass and prey populations.
• Channel catfish fingerlings will continue to be produced and stocked annually through the cooperative effort with the City of Tyler.
• Artificial (bamboo) reefs will be constructed by the Tyler Master Naturalists and distributed throughout the reservoir.
• An aquatic vegetation enhancement plan will be presented to the City of Tyler.
• Angling opportunities and fishery status will be promoted through local media. Outreach presentations will be conducted as requested.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-33 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program