Worth Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock, Cynthia Holt 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 2018 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, and trap netting and in 2019 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 20182019 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

Worth Reservoir is a 3,489-acre impoundment, located on the West Fork of the Trinity River. The reservoir is located entirely in the city limits of Fort 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 rocky shoreline and sporadic stands of native emergent vegetation in the form of water willow, Justicia americana, and bulrushes, Schoenoplectus species. Water levels do not drop much lower than 3 feet because quality of drinking water decreases below such level. The City of Fort Worth completed a dredging project in 2014 to increase water storage capacity, improve water quality, and increase water recreation.

Management History

Important sport fishes include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfishes. The management plan from the 2014 survey report included informing the public on fish consumption advisories, test planting floating and submersed aquatic vegetation, communicating about the spread of aquatic invasive species, and monitoring Blue Catfish populations with low-frequency electrofishing.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be abundant. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was high and 85% were available as prey. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was higher than the previous survey while catch rate of Longear Sunfish was lower.
• Catfishes: The catch rate of Blue Catfish increased over the previous survey. Condition of Blue Catfish over 20 inches was good. Low-frequency electrofishing catch of stock-size Blue Catfish doubled as compared to the 2016 survey, but total catch decreased. The Channel Catfish population decreased as compared to previous surveys.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Yellow Bass were present in the reservoir. White Bass abundance was much lower than previous survey. Yellow Bass were sampled in gill nets for the first time on record. The most likely source of their introduction is downstream movement from Eagle Mountain Reservoir, which is connected via pipeline to Cedar Creek and Richland Chambers Reservoirs.
• Black basses: Total catch of Spotted Bass decreased from the previous two surveys. Total catch of Largemouth Bass increased slightly from 2014 while catch of legal-sized fish remained similar. Condition of 14-18-inch Largemouth Bass was suboptimal. Florida genetic influence decreased slightly. •
• Crappie: White Crappie abundance decreased slightly and all fish sampled were sub-legal. Mean relative weights of White Crappie were good for fish over 7 inches. Black Crappie were present in low abundance.

Management Strategies

• Continue informing public about consumption advisory on Smallmouth Buffalo and catfishes.
• Monitor Blue Catfish relative abundance with low-frequency electrofishing.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets, low-frequency electrofishing, and electrofishing surveys in 2022-2023.

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