Worth Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division
Dallas-Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Worth Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2015 using gill netting. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Worth Reservoir is a 3,489-acre impoundment, located on the West Fork Trinity River. The reservoir is located entirely in the city limits of Ft. Worth in Tarrant County and was constructed in 1914 by the City as a municipal water supply. Shoreline length is approximately 36 miles.

Angler and boat access was adequate. Non-motorized boat access is available in the north end of the reservoir within the Fort Worth Nature Center. There were two handicap-accessible fishing piers on the reservoir. Fishery habitat was primarily shoreline and sporadic stands of native emergent vegetation in the form of water willow, Justicia americana, and bulrushes, Scirpus species, and also rocky shoreline. Water levels do not fluctuate drastically because of drinking water quality concerns. The City of Fort Worth completed a dredging project in 2014 to increase water storage capacity, improve water quality, and increase water recreation.

Fish Consumption Advisory History

The advisory was implemented by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in April 2000 because of elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish tissues and advised no consumption of any species. The advisory was amended in 2010 to advise no consumption of catfish and Smallmouth Buffalo. More information concerning the advisory can be found at on the DSHS website.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, and Blue and Channel Catfish. All species have been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad were sampled in great abundance in the reservoir. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish were also abundant but not many fish over 6 inches were available for anglers.
• Catfishes: The Blue and Channel Catfish catch rates decreased from the previous survey. Flathead catfish were present but none were captured this past survey year.
• White bass: The White Bass catch rate increased greatly from the previous survey with larger fish available for anglers.
• Black basses: The Spotted Bass catch rate was similar to the previous survey. The Largemouth Bass total catch rate decreased from the previous survey. Recent stockings of Florida Largemouth Bass have appeared to improve genetic composition of the population.
• Crappie: The White Crappie population continues to be high in abundance with quality fish available for anglers. Black Crappie were present but in low abundance.

Management Strategies

• Standard monitoring with electrofishing and trap netting will be conducted in 2018 and gill netting surveys in 2019.
• Low frequency electrofishing will be conducted to target Blue Catfish.
• Because of the high directed effort for Largemouth Bass, available habitat, and the success of the previous stockings, Florida Largemouth Bass will be stocked in consecutive years and evaluated in 2018.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program