Weatherford Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Bennett and Greg Cummings
Inland Fisheries Division – Denison District

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Weatherford Reservoir were surveyed in 2023 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2024 using gill netting. Shoreline habitat and vegetation was surveyed in 2023. Historical data are presented with the 2023-2024 data for comparison. 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. The reservoir was at approximately 53% capacity during habitat and fisheries surveys in 2023. The reservoir is increasingly eutrophic resulting from agricultural and domestic runoff in the watershed, and raw water transfer from Benbrook Reservoir. Habitat features consisted mainly of bulkhead, rocky and natural shoreline with numerous boat docks and piers when reservoir is at or near the conservation elevation.

Management History

Important sport fishes included Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. In 1999, a 14- to 18-inch slot limit was removed for Largemouth Bass and replaced with the statewide regulation. All sport fishes are now managed with statewide regulations. Historical stockings have included Channel Catfish, Threadfin Shad, Paradise Bass, and Walleye. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked between 1988 and 1997 and were last stocked in 2019 following reported catches of trophy bass. Eurasian watermilfoil used to be problematic on the reservoir, but since a Grass Carp stocking in the early 1990s and extreme water-level fluctuations, aquatic vegetation has been minimal. The management plan for the 2020 survey report included recommendations to stock Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings and promote the bass and crappie fisheries and educate the public about invasive species.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad abundance remains high and almost all were available to predators. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high and many are available as forage.  
• Catfishes:Channel Catfish abundance was the highest recorded in 2024. Flathead Catfish are also present.
• White Bass: White Bass were not collected in the recent survey.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass size structure appeared excellent and bass up to 22-inches were collected despite low lake levels at the time of sampling.
• White Crappie: White Crappie remain abundant and more than a third of the sample consisted of harvestable-size fish.

Management Strategies

Request a Lone Star Bass stocking if water levels and habitat improve. Promote the Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and White Crappie fisheries on Weatherford Reservoir. Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets and electrofishing surveys in 2028 and gill net surveys in 2029. Monitor for reappearance of Water hyacinth and Water lettuce if the water level increases and continue public education about invasive species. Standard access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2028.

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