Lake Conroe 2021 Survey Report (PDF 2.9 MB)
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Lake Conroe - 2021 Survey Report
Prepared by Alice Best and Niki Ragan
Inland Fisheries Division
College Station/Houston District,
Snook, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 45-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Lake Conroe were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing and in 2022 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2021 through May 2022 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2022 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 Conroe is a 20,118-acre reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, Texas, built to provide water for municipal and industrial purposes. The reservoir was constructed in 1973 by the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA), the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the City of Houston. The Sam Houston National Forest borders most of the upper third of Lake Conroe, and considerable private and commercial real estate development surrounds the lower two-thirds.
Management History
Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, and White Crappie. Florida Largemouth Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass have been stocked when available. Previous habitat management actions included control of hydrilla using triploid Grass Carp beginning in 2006, regular monitoring of plant communities (including the exotic species hydrilla, giant salvinia, and water hyacinth) from 2006-2022, maintenance of the native aquatic vegetation nursery below Lake Conroe with SJRA, deployment of large fish attractor structures at 14 sites, and planting a five-mile stretch of shoreline in the Caney Creek arm with native vegetation.
Fish Community
- Prey species: The predominant prey fish species at Lake Conroe were Bluegill, Gizzard Shad, Longear Sunfish, and Threadfin Shad. Collectively, these species provided ample forage for sportfish. • Catfishes: Catfishes were the second most sought-after group of fishes by anglers in recent years. Channel Catfish were the most abundant catfish species in Lake Conroe, but Blue Catfish also provided a substantial fishery.
- Temperate basses: White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass were present in Lake Conroe. Angling effort for temperate basses during the 2021-2022 creel survey was similar to the 2016-2017 creel survey.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass were the most sought-after species in Lake Conroe, and the population has provided high quality angling opportunities. The current lake record Largemouth Bass, caught in January 2009, weighed 15.93 pounds and measured 27 inches in length. The record Largemouth Bass was one of four fish entered into the Toyota ShareLunker Program in the 2008-2009 season. Three individuals weighing 13 pounds or more have been submitted since that season: one in 2015, 2019, and 2021.
- Crappies: Both Black Crappie and White Crappie have provided angling opportunities at Lake Conroe. Angling effort for crappie increased in the 2021-2022 creel survey compared to that of the previous survey in 2016-2017.
Management Strategies
Hybrid Striped Bass and Florida Largemouth Bass stockings will be requested annually. Continue to work with SJRA, the Lake Conroe Association (LCA), the Seven Coves Bass Club (SCBC), and other interested groups to address the ongoing problem of exotic vegetation control and native vegetation restoration at Lake Conroe.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program