Lake Bardwell - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Richard A. Ott, Jr.
Inland Fisheries Division - Tyler South 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 Lake Bardwell were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing, and in 2019 using gill netting.  Historical data are presented with the 2018-2019 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 Bardwell is a 3,138-acre impoundment located on Waxahachie Creek in the Trinity River Basin approximately 3 miles southwest of Ennis, Texas. Normal annual water level fluctuation is within 2-4 feet of spillway elevation; however, significant flood events occurred in 2015, 2016, and 2018. Habitat consisted of featureless shoreline, eroded bank, and small amounts of native emergent vegetation. Angler access and facilities are very good with five public access areas and one commercial marina.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Palmetto Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish.  The management plan from the 2010 survey report (Ott and Bennett 2011) included requested stockings of Palmetto Bass fingerlings at 10 fish/acre annually, and subsequent bi-annual gill netting to monitor the population.  Because Palmetto Bass fingerlings were not available in 2010, fry were stocked at 615/acre.  Reservoir regulations posters were distributed to local businesses and marinas. The controlling authority was consulted about funding a native plant introduction project; however, funding and manpower was not available.   

Fish Community

• Prey species: :  Gizzard and Threadfin Shad were the primary prey species. All Gizzard Shad collected in 2018 were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill and Longear Sunfish was low, but most were small enough to provide prey.    
• Catfishes: Supplemental stocking of Blue Catfish in 2015 and 2016 was successful but no evidence of natural reproduction or recruitment was documented. Trophy-size Blue Catfish were still available to anglers. Channel Catfish were less abundant than Blue Catfish but continue to reproduce and recruit successfully.
• Temperate basses: White Bass were still abundant and size distribution is good. Palmetto Bass were present in the reservoir but in low abundance and only one age class  was collected. Continued existence of a fishery is dependent on consistent stocking.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were present, but abundance was low. Size distribution of the few fish collected was good and relative weight was adequate.  However, high RSE of the estimate questions reliability of results. Centrarchid reproduction and recruitment was likely habitat limited.
• Crappie: White Crappie have historically provided a very good fishery. However, crappie were not sampled during the current survey period due to extreme fluctuations in reservoir elevation.

Management Strategies

Continue stocking Palmetto Bass at 10-15 fish/acre annually. Conduct supplemental stocking of Blue Catfish fingerlings at 50/acre in 2020 and 2021. Investigate the possibility of introducing catfish spawning structures. Continue public outreach regarding the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.

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