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Lake Bardwell 2022 Survey Report

If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document, contact the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division for assistance.

 

Lake Bardwell - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by David R. Smith and Jake Norman
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 2022 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2023 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2022/2023 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. From 2020–2023, elevation has remained within 3 feet of spillway elevation. Habitat consisted of featureless shoreline, eroded bank, and trace 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 Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, crappie, and catfish. The management plan from the 2018 survey report included requested stockings of Hybrid Striped Bass fingerlings at 10–15 fish/acre annually and Blue Catfish fingerlings at 50 fish/acre in 2020 and 2021. Blue Catfish stockings transitioned to the years 2021 and 2022 due to logistical constraints during 2020.  

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Continue stocking Hybrid Striped Bass at 15 fish/acre. Continue to supplement the poor reproductive success of the Blue Catfish population with Blue Catfish fingerlings at 50 fish/acre. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species. Conduct an electrofishing survey in 2026, a trap net survey in 2026, a gill net survey in 2027, and a vegetation survey in 2026.

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

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



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