Wright Patman Reservoir 2020 Survey Report (PDF 945.8 KB)
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Wright Patman Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report
Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Margaret H. Stadig
Inland Fisheries Division
Marshall District, 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.
Fish populations in Lake Wright Patman were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2021 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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
Lake Wright Patman is a 20,143-acre impoundment located on the Sulphur River. The reservoir is located in Bowie and Cass counties approximately 10 miles southwest of Texarkana.
Management History
Important sport fish include Blue and Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Crappie. All sport fish at Lake Wright Patman have historically been managed with statewide harvest regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass have been stocked in this reservoir to improve the quality of the Largemouth Bass fishery. Hydrilla, water hyacinth, and giant salvinia were discovered in the reservoir in 2000, 2005, and 2012, respectively. Giant Salvinia was eradicated, and water hyacinth and hydrilla do not pose any management concerns at this time. The last time any of these plant species were observed was 2017 when a trace amount of hydrilla was found.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir. A majority of Gizzard Shad were available as prey to predators. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was lower than in past years. Most Bluegill were less than 6-inches long and provided another source of forage for predatory species. Longear and Redear Sunfish were also present but in very low numbers.
- Catfishes: Blue Catfish catch rates increased from the last gill net survey in 2017. Channel Catfish catch rates were consistent from 2017 to 2021 but lower than 2013. A majority of Channel Catfish caught were available to anglers for harvest with the largest fish measuring 21 inches.
- Temperate basses: White Bass were present in the reservoir but at low numbers. Gill net catches decreased over the last two surveys.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch increased from the surveys in 2016 and 2012. However, there was a decrease in the proportion of legal harvest size fish available to anglers. Largemouth Bass were in good condition with fast growth (average age at 14 inches was 1.9 years).
- Crappie: Both White and Black Crappie were caught during the fall trap net surveys, with White Crappie having the higher catch rates. There were a high number of legal harvest size crappie available to anglers with good condition for most size classes.
Management Strategies
- Conduct aquatic plant surveys annually to monitor the spread or new introduction of invasive aquatic plant species and recommend control measures to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as necessary.
- Maintain signage at the spillway to inform anglers of the threat of Asian carp (specifically Bighead and Silver Carp) and work with USACE to prevent movement of Asian carp upstream of the dam.

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