Lake Corpus Christi - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Greg Binion and Dusty McDonald
Inland Fisheries Division - Corpus Christi District

This is the authors' summary from a 38-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Corpus Christi Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing, and in 2019 using spring electrofishing, gill netting, and tandem hoop netting to assess population trends for important sport fishes. White Bass were assessed in upstream Nueces River in 2019 with winter electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2019 data for comparison. This report summarizes the survey results and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Corpus Christi Reservoir is an 18,256-acre impoundment located on the Nueces River approximately 20 miles northwest of Corpus Christi, Texas. The reservoir was built by the Lower Nueces Water Supply District in 1958 to provide water for the city of Corpus Christi and other coastal bend communities and is under the authority of the City of Corpus Christi. Boat access is correlated with water level.  Shoreline and handicap access are limited to a few public areas around the lake. Water is typically turbid but clears during summer in the lower reservoir and small creek arms. The substrate is composed primarily of silt, sand, clay, and some gravel/rock. Littoral habitat consisted of flooded live and dead terrestrial vegetation, standing timber, and seasonally abundant water hyacinth.  

Management History

Important sport fish species include Blue and Channel Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Alligator Gar, and crappie. Recent management efforts focused on increasing Florida Largemouth Bass (FLMB) introgression through stockings (2015, 2017, and 2018), developing and implementing a sampling protocol to track population trends of White Bass in the upstream Nueces River, and evaluating the use of baited tandem hoop nets as a sampling gear for Channel Catfish. Further, staff monitored expansion of nuisance vegetation with a vegetation survey conducted annually. Water hyacinth was treated in 2016 (202 acres), 2017 (1,752 acres), and 2018 (102 acres) by either private contractors or City staff. Angler harvest of all sport fishes has been regulated according to statewide size and bag limits.  

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad formed the reservoirs forage base. Bluegill provided additional forage for sport fish, yet relative abundance has decreased in recent years. Population size structure of prey species was suitable to support sport fish populations.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish abundance remained high and size structure comprised a wide size range of fish. Channel and Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir in low abundance.
• White Bass:White Bass were available in moderate abundance and 83% of fish collected were available for angler harvest. White Bass support a popular fishery in the upstream Nueces River. 
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance declined substantially. Few legal-size fish were available to anglers. Fish attained legal length (14 inches) in 2.2 years. 

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage sport fish under existing regulations.
• Request Florida Largemouth Bass stocking to enhance production of trophy fish (≥ 8 pounds).
• Conduct a creel survey to collect fisheries dependent data (i.e., angler effort, catch, and harvest).
• Identify and explore partnerships and grant opportunities to conduct a fisheries habitat enhancement project.
• Monitor expansion of nuisance vegetation.

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