White Rock Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Cynthia Fox Holt 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 2019 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2020 using gill netting and tandem hoop netting. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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 995-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 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 electric trolling motors. There are two ADA compliant facilities on the reservoir. Fishery habitat consisted of primarily native emergent vegetation in the form of bulrush (Scirpus spp.) and water willow (Justicia americana), boat docks and fishing piers.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis), and Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). White Rock Reservoir is an urban fishery with the majority of fishing pressure being bank angling (Brock and Hungerford 2011). The management plan from the 2015 survey report included promoting recreational angling opportunities at White Rock Reservoir and working with Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) to install artificial fish habitat structures around fishing piers. Dallas Water Utilities and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) are continuing to work on a plan to install artificial fish habitat structures around the lake. The Dallas/Fort Worth Inland Fisheries office has updated printable and online materials that promote fishing locations with ample bank access and quality fisheries, which includes White Rock Reservoir.

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 Bluegill were over 6-inches long.  
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish catch rates were higher than previous years with all 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. Higher numbers of legal-size fish were available to anglers.
• 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

• Request Florida Largemouth Bass (FLMB) fingerlings to stock at a rate of 100 fish/acre.
• Continue to work on memorandum of understanding with Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and to install artificial fish habitat structures around fishing piers in White Rock Reservoir.
• Continue to advertise recreational angling opportunities at White Rock Reservoir through social media and on TPWD and DWU websites.

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