Bachman Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-D, Fort Worth, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Bachman Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2007 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Bachman Reservoir, a 132-acre reservoir located on Bachman Branch (a tributary of the Trinity River), was constructed in 1903 by the City of Dallas for water supply. It is located in Dallas County near the Love Field Airport. Habitat is composed mainly of rocky habitat and shoreline aquatic vegetation in the form of water willow. Bachman Reservoir was dredged in 2003.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass and white crappie. All fish species have been managed by statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rates of gizzard shad remain average when compared to other district reservoirs. Threadfin shad are present but the population is in very low abundance. The total catch rate of bluegills is above average. Longear sunfish are also present but in low abundance. Other sunfishes including green sunfish and warmouth are present in low numbers.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish are present in the reservoir but they are very low in abundance and only 2 were captured in two gill netting surveys. Blue catfish were stocked in 2004 but none were captured by gill netting in 2007. Flathead catfish are present but none were captured the past two surveys.
• White bass: No white bass have been captured during two gill netting surveys and if they are present in the reservoir, are in very low abundance.
• Largemouth bass: The largemouth bass total catch rates are above average when compared to other district reservoirs. Population structure and body condition of the population are above average.
• White crappie: The white crappie trap netting catch rates are well above average when compared to other district reservoirs with size structure and body conditions being above average.

Management Strategies

This reservoir will be monitored with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in 2010-2011. Because of the age and proximity of the reservoir to industrial development, tissue samples from selected fish will be collected for contaminant analysis. Blue catfish will be requested for stocking in 2008 and 2009 to provide an additional sportfish for anglers and to utilize the abundant forage.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program