Bachman Reservoir 2010 Survey Report (PDF 128.8 KB)
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Bachman Reservoir - 2010 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 19-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Bachman Reservoir were surveyed in 2010 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2011 using gill netting. 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 was composed mainly of shoreline emergent vegetation in the form of water willow, Justicia americana, and bulkhead in the form of rock gabions. Bachman Reservoir was dredged in 2003 to increase depth and provide better access for boaters.
Management History
Important sport fishes 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 were above average when compared to other district reservoirs. Threadfin shad were likely present but the population was very low in abundance. The total catch rate of bluegills was above average. Longear sunfish were also present in high abundance. Other sunfishes including green sunfish and warmouth were present in low numbers.
- Catfishes: Channel catfish were present in the reservoir and the population appears to be increasing. Blue catfish were stocked in 2003 but none were captured by gill netting.
- White bass: No white bass have been captured during the last three gill netting surveys.
- Largemouth bass: The largemouth bass total catch rate was above average when compared to other district reservoirs. Population structure and body condition of the population were above average.
- White crappie: The white crappie trap netting catch rates were 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 electrofishing and trap nets in 2014 and gill netting in 2015. The reservoir has outstanding populations of largemouth bass and white crappie. These populations appear to be underutilized. Promotion of the populations, including specific fishing techniques to improve angler catch rates, will be performed using news releases. However, because of the size and location of the reservoir, over exploitation of the largemouth bass could occur if the reservoir is promoted heavily.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program