Lake Welsh - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared byTimothy J. Bister and Margaret H. Stadig
Inland Fisheries Division – Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Welsh Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 with an electrofishing survey. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a fisheries management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Welsh Reservoir is a 1,333-acre cooling reservoir for coal-fueled power generation located on Swaunano Creek in the Big Cypress River Basin. The reservoir is in Titus County. Habitat features consist of standing timber, rocky shoreline, riprap, and native aquatic plants.  

Management History

Largemouth Bass is the primary sport fish in Welsh Reservoir. Largemouth Bass have been managed under an 18-inch minimum length limit, 5 fish daily bag limit since September 1994. All other sport fishes in Welsh Reservoir have been managed with statewide regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass stockings in 1975 and 1976 were successful in establishing the Florida Largemouth Bass genetics in the population.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir though in low numbers similar to past surveys. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill increased from 2017 to 2019 but there were no Bluegill over 6-inches in length. Catch rates for Redear Sunfish were consistent from 2015 to 2019 with some individuals reaching 9-inches.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish abundance has been historically low with minimal directed angling effort. No sampling was conducted to survey Channel Catfish population.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rate remained consistent in 2017 and 2019. The population was balanced with a good number of small fish (<8 inches), stock sized fish (>8 inches), and fish above the legal 18-inch limit.
• Crappie: Crappie abundance has been historically low with the last crappie individual observed in 1996. There is minimal directed angling effort. No sampling was conducted to survey this population.

Management Strategies

• Conduct electrofishing surveys in 2021 and 2023, a winter creel survey in 2023/2024, and an aquatic vegetation survey in 2023.
• Additional vegetation surveys will be conducted from 2020-2022 to monitor non-native aquatic vegetation.
• Largemouth Bass will continue to be managed under the current 18-inch minimum length limit while all other sport fish will be managed under statewide harvest regulations.
• No additional sampling for Channel Catfish or Black Crappie is necessary during this time period.

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