Weatherford Reservoir - 2007 Survey Report

Prepared by John H. Moczygemba and Bruce Hysmith
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Weatherford Reservoir were surveyed in 2007 using an electrofisher and trap nets and in 2008 using gill nets. Habitat was surveyed in 2007. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Weatherford Reservoir is a 1,158-acre impoundment on the Clear Fork Trinity River in Parker County. Water level was below conservation level (896 ft-msl) from April 2005 until June 2007. The reservoir waters are extremely rich in nutrients because of domestic habitation in the watershed; hence, high productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of bulkhead, rip-rap, and native emergent aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie. The management plan for the 2004 survey report included a recommendation to encourage the City of Weatherford to construct access and facilities compliant with the American Disabilities Act, and update the web page on the TPWD web site. In 1961 through 1970, 100,415 advanced channel catfish fingerlings were stocked. In 1962 through 1971, 267,000 largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked. Approximately 15,000 paradise bass were stocked in 1977; 2,790 adult threadfin shad in 1981 and 1984; 4.9 million walleye fry 1982–1984; and 346,329 Florida largemouth bass fingerlings in 1988, 1991, and 1997. In 1990, 1,101 triploid grass carp were stocked.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of gizzard shad was high, but lower than some historical catches. The relative abundance of prey-size gizzard shad (
  7-inches) was very high. This was indicative of high nutrient levels in the reservoir. High electrofishing catch rates of bluegill and a modest catch rate of threadfin shad indicated the prey base was more than adequate.
• Channel catfish: Gill net catch rate of channel catfish was higher than previous surveys. Most of the population was legal size and in good condition. Growth was fair and recruitment was evident.
• White bass: Gill net catch rate of white bass was low, but higher than in 2004. No legal size white bass were collected this year or in 2004; however, most of the population was made up of legal-size and large white bass in 1999. Recruitment was evident and perhaps the white bass population is rebounding following several years of low inflow.
• Largemouth bass: Electrofishing catch rate of largemouth bass was at its lowest since 1999. Recruitment was evident, but lower than in previous surveys. Largemouth bass were in average condition compared to previous surveys. No pure Florida largemouth bass were collected, but there was 45.5% Florida largemouth bass alleles within the population. Growth was good; 14 inches in 2 years and 6% of the sample population was 14 inches and longer.
• White crappie: Trap net catch rate of white crappie was high and overall body condition was good. They grew to 10 inches in one year and over 30% of the sample population was 10 inches and larger.

Management Strategies

Based on current information, Weatherford Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing fish harvest regulations. Management strategies identified in the 2004 Fisheries Management Plan were communicated to the City of Weatherford and improvements are ongoing. Communicating with constituents via web site and news release is ongoing.

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