Texoma Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Bruce Hysmith and John H. Moczygemba
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 40-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Texoma Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Habitat was surveyed in 2004, 2008, and 2012. 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

Texoma Reservoir is a 74,686-acre impoundment on the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma. Water level closely paralleled conservation elevation (617 feet-mean sea level) May 2009 to March 2013 except for infrequent high water events. Texoma Reservoir has moderate productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural features, rocky and gravel shoreline, and boat docks.

Management History

Important sport fish included Blue and Channel Catfish; White Bass; Striped Bass; Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth Bass; and Black and White Crappie. Management activities included: low pulse and low amp electrofishing in the upper Red River arm during August 2012 for Blue Catfish; annual gill net surveys at 30 sites in February of each year by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC); gill net data was shared with ODWC fisheries personnel, analyzed, and presented in the annual fisheries report on Texoma Reservoir and at the annual bi-state strategy meeting each December; golden alga infestation monitoring in Texoma Reservoir along with personnel from ODWC and University of Oklahoma Biological Station (UOBS); participation in resource review meetings; public awareness communications. Zebra mussel infestation in Texoma Reservoir was monitored with other resource agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and North Texas Municipal Water District (NTWM), and conduct public awareness campaign to slow down the spread of this invasive species. The Texoma Reservoir web page was updated as required.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad remain in record numbers. Gizzard Shad showed the highest catch rate on record since 2000. Over one-half were excellent-size prey. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high, with one-half being 4 inches and smaller.
• Catfishes: Gill net catch of Blue Catfish was high. Most of the population was legal-size and larger, in fair condition, with good recruitment. Catch of Channel Catfish was above the annual average. Most were legal size and in good condition.
• Temperate basses: Catch of White Bass was above the annual average. Striped Bass has maintained a level just below the annual average, good body condition, excellent recruitment, and good growth.
• Black basses: Catch rate of Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth Bass were high with Largemouth Bass the most abundant. Body condition and growth was good for all three species.
• Crappie: Catch rate of White and Black Crappie was down.

Invasive Organisms

• Mussels: Zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, were found throughout Texoma Reservoir.

Management Strategies

Based on current information, Texoma Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing harvest regulations. Annual gill net monitoring of Striped Bass will continue with cooperation of ODWC. Monitoring golden alga and zebra mussels will continue. Standard sampling will be conducted in 2016-2017.

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