White Rock Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Cynthia Fox Holt, Thomas Hungerford, and Raphael Brock
Inland Fisheries Division – Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in White Rock Lake were surveyed in 2021 and 2023 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing in 2020 and 2023, trap netting in 2023 and in 2024 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2024 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

White Rock Lake is a 995-acre impoundment located on White Rock Creek, a tributary of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, Texas. Water level remains relatively stable near conservation pool at 457.9 feet above mean sea level. Habitat primarily consisted of native emergent vegetation, rock outcrops, boat docks and fishing piers.  

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Channel Catfish. White Rock Lake is an urban fishery with most of the fishing pressure being bank angling (Brock and Hungerford 2011). The management plan from the 2020 survey report included promoting recreational angling opportunities at White Rock Reservoir and working with the controlling authority to install fish habitat structures around fishing piers, and stocking Florida Largemouth Bass to maintain trophy potential of the fishery. The Dallas/Fort Worth Inland Fisheries office continues to work with the City of Dallas to develop a habitat enhancement plan and has updated printable and online materials that promote fishing locations with ample bank access and quality fisheries, which includes White Rock Lake. In 2021, over 200 adult ShareLunker Largemouth Bass (ShareLunker Largemouth Bass are 1st generation offspring from angler-donated Largemouth Bass ≥ 13 pounds from the Toyota ShareLunker program) were stocked into White Rock Lake to maintain trophy potential of the fishery.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was high, and most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high, but few Bluegills were over 6-inches long.  
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish catch rates were higher than previous years with most fish collected being 13” or larger. No Blue Catfish or Flathead Catfish were collected.
• White Bass: No White Bass were collected during this survey period.  
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant and in good condition. .
• White Crappie: White Crappie were abundant and in great condition. About one-quarter of the populations is legal-size fish available to anglers.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Lonestar Largemouth Bass at 1,000 fish/km of shoreline to maintain trophy potential of the Largemouth Bass fishery. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct an additional electrofishing survey in 2025, a hoop netting survey in 2025, and general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2027-2028.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2026/2027.

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