Jacksboro Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by Tom Lang and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division - Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Jacksboro Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2015 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2014 through May 2015 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2014-2015 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

Jacksboro Reservoir is a 116-acre impoundment constructed in 1951. It is located in Jack County approximately 60 miles southeast of Wichita Falls and is controlled by the City of Jacksboro. The primary use is for municipal water supply. Maximum depth is 30 feet. Habitat consists of rocks and emergent vegetation. Boat access consists of a single, one-lane public boat ramp and an undeveloped gravel launching area. Bank fishing is available along most of the lower half of the lake and includes a city park. Jacksboro’s spillway flows directly into 385-acre Lost Creek Reservoir. Despite their proximity, characteristics between the two reservoirs differ considerably.

Management History

Historically important sport fish include Channel Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. Stocking of fingerling size Channel Catfish occurred in 2011.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The Gizzard Shad catch rate and size structure improved since the 2011 survey. No Threadfin Shad were sampled in the 2014 survey, while they were sampled in 2011. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) for Bluegill was down from the previous survey but their abundance was still considered good. Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, and Warmouth were also sampled in good numbers. Inland Silversides and Logperch were abundant and available as forage for the reservoir’s predator population.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish abundance decreased from the 2012 gill net survey. However, the abundance of legal length catfish was slightly higher this year. Blue Catfish were present in low abundance with two 25-pound individuals sampled during the 2015 survey. No Blue Catfish were sampled during the previous survey. Flathead Catfish have historically been present in the reservoir in very low abundance but were not sampled during the 2015 gill net survey.
• White Bass: White Bass remained present in relatively low abundance with lengths ranging from seven- to 17 inches. The reproducing population puts an increased demand on the somewhat limited prey base.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rate increased since the last survey completed in 2011. Body condition, as measured by relative weight was improved for legal length bass compared to 2011. Good numbers of legal length bass were sampled.
• White Crappie: The catch rate of White Crappie was the highest recorded since 1997. Seven-eight-inch crappie were highly abundant. Average for legal-length crappie was between 12 to13 inches.

Management Strategies

Conduct general fish population monitoring by using trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing during 2018 and 2019. Stock fingerling Channel Catfish on alternate years at the rate of 10 per acre if available from state hatcheries.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program