Lake Tyler - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Jacob D. Norman
Inland Fisheries Division – Tyler South District

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 Tyler were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed from December 2019 – May 2020 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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 Tyler is a 4,500-acre impoundment located on Mud Creek in the Angelina River Basin approximately 6 miles southeast of Tyler, Texas. Primary water uses included municipal water supply and recreation. Water level has remained within 2.5 feet of conservation pool since 2014. Lake Tyler has moderate to high productivity. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and native vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass and crappie. Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings have been stocked annually to increase the potential of large (>8 pounds) fish in the reservoir. Littoral hydrilla treatments (up to 200 feet from shore) were conducted in 2007 and annually from 2009-2011; no additional hydrilla treatments have been conducted since that time.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was low and only 45% were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was high and most were less than 6-inches long.
• Catfishes: No directed sampling efforts were conducted for catfish, however both Blue and Channel Catfish have been documented through creel surveys and recent water body record certifications.
• White Bass: No directed sampling efforts were conducted for White Bass, however winter-time rod and reel angling documented their presence.
• Black bass: Spotted Bass were present in the reservoir in low abundance. Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant and displayed both a balanced size structure and desired body condition. Largemouth Bass growth to legal length was moderate (average age at 14 inches was 3.0 years). Largemouth Bass were the most popular species targeted during the most recent creel survey, accounting for 52% of all angling effort.
• Crappie: Black and White Crappie were present in the reservoir and historically have provided a popular fishery. Crappie were the second most popular species targeted during the most recent creel survey, accounting for 43% of all angling effort.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Florida Largemouth Bass at 1000/km of shoreline annually.
• Assist the controlling authority in preparing earthen rearing ponds for growing out 2-inch Channel Catfish and stock into Lake Tyler the following year.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species and work with controlling authority as needed to provide technical guidance.
• Continue managing all sport fish under statewide harvest regulations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program