Wright Patman Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Lynn D. Wright
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-A, Marshall, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 28-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 2012 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 data for comparisons. 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 Catfishes, White Bass, 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, waterhyacinth, and giant salvinia were discovered in the reservoir in 2000, 2005, and 2012 respectively.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. There were moderate numbers of Gizzard Shad available as prey to most sport fish. Sunfish were also available as prey with Bluegill being the most abundant.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish populations offer many fish above legal length and provide excellent angling opportunities. Flathead Catfish are also known to exist in the reservoir.
• Temperate basses: White Bass were present in the reservoir. Relative abundance of White Bass is variable, but there are opportunities for anglers to catch fish. Palmetto Bass stockings were discontinued in 2002 and no fish were collected during the review period.
• Largemouth bass: The Largemouth Bass population can be characterized as consistently low in abundance and exhibiting slow growth.
• Crappie: Both White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir with White Crappie being the dominant species. Crappie species were abundant and provide excellent angling opportunities. Crappie species have been the most popular sportfish at Lake Wright Patman in past angler surveys.

Management Strategies

Conduct general monitoring with electrofishing, trap netting, gill netting, and angler access surveying in 2016-2017. Surveys of invasive aquatic vegetation will be conducted annually beginning in 2013. Conduct an angler creel survey from June 2016 through May 2017 to estimate angling effort and harvest. All sport fish will continue to be managed under statewide harvest regulations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program