Timpson Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-D, Brookeland, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Timpson 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 comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Timpson is located in Shelby County. The Shelby County Freshwater Supply District is the controlling authority. Primary uses are water supply and recreation. This reservoir has a surface area of 223 acres, a shoreline length of 8 miles, and an average depth of 8 feet. Water level fluctuations average 1-3 feet annually. Boat and bank access is adequate, with one boat ramp present.

Management History

Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, crappie, and catfish. Prior to 1994, Largemouth Bass were managed under statewide regulations. In 1994, Largemouth Bass regulations were changed to a 14- to 21-inch slot length limit. This regulation has had the desired effect of producing increased numbers of Largemouth Bass that are within the protective slot length limit. In 2003, hydrilla was found in Lake Timpson, and coverage expanded to 40% of the reservoir surface area in 2004. Triploid Grass Carp were stocked in 2004 at a rate of 5 fish/vegetated acre (448 fish) to reduce hydrilla coverage. Since 2006, no hydrilla has been observed. In 2010, giant salvinia was discovered, and eradication was accomplished with numerous herbicide treatments; no plants were observed in 2011 or 2012.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were abundant in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rates of Bluegill and Redear Sunfish declined since the previous survey in 2007. However, relative abundance of 6- to 8-inch Redear Sunfish was relatively high and stable. Other prey species included Yellow Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, and Longear Sunfish.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish were present in the reservoir. Blue Catfish were stocked in 1998, but only four large fish (> 36 inches) have been collected since 2008, indicating no natural recruitment. Channel Catfish catch was also low, indicating poor reproduction.
• Yellow bass: Gill net surveys reflected an abundant Yellow Bass population. Catch rates were 64.6 and 36.4/nn in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass were relatively abundant. Population size structure from recent surveys indicate the protective slot length limit has had the desired effect, with an abundance of Largemouth Bass within the protective slot length limit available for angler catch. Largemouth Bass had fast growth rates and were in moderate condition.
• Crappies: Both White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir. Black Crappie was the only species sampled during the 2012 trap netting survey, and abundance had declined significantly since 2007.

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage Largemouth Bass with a 14- to 21-inch slot length limit.
• Continue to monitor trends of hydrilla and giant salvinia coverage through annual aquatic vegetation surveys.
• Conduct electrofishing (fall and spring), trap net, gill net, and access surveys in 2016 and 2017.

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