White Rock Reservoir - 2015 Survey Report

Prepared by Stephanie George, Raphael Brock and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division – Fort Worth District

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 White Rock Reservoir were surveyed in 2015 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2016 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2015-2016 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 Reservoir is a 1,088-acre impoundment located on White Rock Creek, a tributary of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. It was constructed in 1910 by the City of Dallas as a municipal water supply, but presently it is used only for recreation and flood control. The upper portion of the reservoir was dredged in 1998 and 1999 increasing the average depth of that area to five feet. Angler and boat access is adequate. Outboard motors on White Rock Reservoir are restricted to no more than 10.5 HP. However, boats with larger motors can utilize the reservoir using their trolling motors. There are two handicap specific facilities on the reservoir. Fishery habitat consisted of primarily native emergent vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Channel Catfish. All fish species are managed under statewide length and bag limits. White Rock Reservoir is an urban fishery with the majority of fishing pressure being bank angling (Brock and Hungerford 2011).

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad are abundant in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rates of these species were high. The total catch rate of Bluegill decreased since sampling in 2011, while the catch rate of Longear Sunfish increased slightly.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were present in the reservoir. Catch rates were higher than previously reported with the majority of fish >15 inches in length.
• White Bass: No White Bass were collected in the reservoir during 2016. Spring gill netting surveys conducted in 2012 indicated a small population of White Bass present in White Rock Reservoir.
• Largemouth Bass: The electrofishing catch rates of Largemouth Bass were comparable to those of fall 2011. Catch rates varied in abundance and fish > 14 inches in length increased from previous samples.
• White crappie: The White Crappie catch rates were lower than the previous sample in 2013. The population varied in abundance with trap net catch rates but fish were still in good condition based on relative weight (Wr).

Management Strategies

• General monitoring with electrofishing and trap netting will be conducted in 2019.
• Hoop net surveys will be conducted in 2018. If hoop netting is successful, additional hoop net surveys will be conducted in 2020 to collect population catch statistics of Channel Catfish.
• Continue to work with the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department to install artificial habitat structures to improve fish habitat near fishing piers.

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