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Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir 2020 Survey Report media download(PDF 541.9 KB)

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Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division
Waco District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing and in 2021 using gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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

Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir is a 1,793-acre reservoir located 15 miles east of Waco in McLennan County, Texas. Water level was 2 feet below conservation pool (445 feet above mean sea level [MSL]) during the summer 2020 vegetation survey, at conservation pool during the fall 2020 electrofishing survey and near conservation pool during the 2021 gill net survey. Habitat features were dominated by natural shorelines, as well as native emergent vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, White Bass and crappies. The Red Drum fishery was completely lost between 2009 and 2010 due to the dismantling of the power plant and consequent loss of artificially warm winter water temperatures. Red Drum stockings were discontinued, and Red Drum regulations were removed. The management plan from 2012 included annual monitoring of hydrilla and giant reed; both were monitored through 2014 but never required control efforts. More recent management efforts focused on posting appropriate aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage at access points and providing technical support and informational materials for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) “Clean, Drain and Dry” campaign. Approximately 20 bamboo crappie condos were placed into the reservoir as part of an artificial fish habitat addition project during 2015. Management efforts from 2020-2021 include the addition of artificial fish habitat into the reservoir and aquatic vegetation, boater access, electrofishing, and gill netting surveys.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program