Lake Bellwood - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Richard A. Ott, Jr. and Patrick A. Beck
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-C, Tyler, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 29-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

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

Reservoir Description

Lake Bellwood is a 160-acre reservoir on Indian Creek (a tributary of the Neches River), Texas, built to provide water for municipal and industrial purposes. The reservoir is owned and controlled by Tyler Water Utilities (TWU). Boat access is adequate, but bank angler access is limited. There are no handicap-specific facilities. The north and west shorelines are dominated by giant cutgrass.

Management History

Important sport fish include channel catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. The minimum-length of largemouth bass was increased from 14 to 18 inches in 1994. Advanced-size channel catfish fingerlings have been stocked as available since 1994. Hydrilla was controlled by herbicide in 1998-2000. Hydrilla has not been problematic since that time. Several native submersed aquatic plant species were introduced from 1999-2002 and continue to be monitored. Giant cutgrass has been removed along part of the south shoreline as part of a private recreational development.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin shad were present in good abundance. The electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was lower than in previous surveys, with few of suitable size as prey for most sport fish. Electrofishing catch rate of bluegill was higher than previous surveys, and most were of a size suitable as prey. Redear sunfish and longear sunfish were present and provided a valuable addition to the prey base. Redear sunfish, although fewer in number than bluegill, were large enough to be desirable to anglers.
• Catfishes: Only adult channel catfish were collected and all were large (22-31 inches). The fish collected were likely the result of stocking conducted in the 1990s through 2001. There was no evidence of natural recruitment.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were abundant. The electrofishing catch rate was higher than previous surveys with an increase in legal-sized individuals. Largemouth bass had good body condition; an indication of good prey availability. Growth rate was acceptable with largemouth bass growing to 14 inches by age 2 or 3.
• Crappies: Both white crappie and black crappie were present. Trap net catch rates of both species were similar but a higher percentage of white crappie were harvestable size. White crappie body condition and growth rate was better than black crappie and multiple year classes of both species were evident.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking channel catfish as available.
• Continue monitoring size distribution and genetic composition of largemouth bass as necessary.
• Coordinate with TWU to monitor the hydrilla as needed.
• Continue maintenance of native aquatic vegetation nursery structures as necessary.
• Coordinate with TWU in bringing developer into compliance with aquatic vegetation management regulations.

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