Lake Wood - 2011 Survey Report

Prepared by John Findeisen and Greg Binion
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-E, Mathis, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 30-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Lake Wood (H-5) was surveyed in fall 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and spring 2009 and 2012 using electrofishing, fall 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 using trap nets and spring 2004, 2008, and 2012 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of these surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Wood (488 acres) is located on the Guadalupe River in Gonzales County, and was constructed in 1931 by the Texas Hydroelectric Commission. Its main purposes are for water supply, hydro-power production and recreation. Angler and boat access is adequate with two public boat ramps; however there are no handicap-specific facilities at either location. Habitat consisted of boat docks, rocks, floating-leaved vegetation, emergent vegetation, exotic vegetation (water hyacinth, water lettuce) and stumps. Hydrilla has not been observed in the reservoir since 2004. Water hyacinth and water lettuce was present and has the potential to create access problems.

Management History

Important sport fish include channel and flathead catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. White bass are present in this reservoir but in low abundance. Blue catfish have been stocked in this reservoir but are not the dominant catfish species. The 2008 management plan focused on working with GBRA on the control of water hyacinth, monitoring water lettuce and East Indian hygrophila, and conducting spring electrofishing surveys to assess perceived spawning and recruitment issues of largemouth bass. Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA) controlled nuisance aquatic vegetation (primarily water hyacinth) through contracted herbicide spraying operations and winter time lake drawdowns. Combined, these efforts were effective at controlling water hyacinth. TPWD monitored water lettuce and East Indian hygrophila, but neither plant became problematic in 2011. Spring electrofishing surveys were conducted and the data showed both spawning success and recruitment were no longer a problem.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard shad, threadfin shad, and several sunfish species were the primary forage species available to predators, with gizzard shad and bluegill having the highest relative abundance. Catch rates of most forage species increased from previous years.
• Catfish: Gill net catch data of channel catfish indicated about half of the fish collected were greater than the minimum length limit of 12-inches, providing adequate angling opportunities. Gill net data also suggests the blue catfish population is expanding without the aid of stocking. Flathead catfish were present in the reservoir.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass, spotted bass, and Guadalupe bass are present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rates of largemouth bass increased since the previous report (2008), and they likely provide a significant fishery. Spawning success and recruitment were not a problem in 2011.
• White crappie: White crappie and black crappie were present in the reservoir. White crappies were more numerous than previously thought and provide anglers with excellent fishing opportunities.

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage sport fisheries under existing regulations.
• Continue cooperative efforts with GBRA to monitor and control nuisance aquatic vegetation and publicize fisheries.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program