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Lake Cypress Springs 2022 Survey Report

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

 

Lake Cypress Springs - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Quintin Dean and Timothy J. Bister
Inland Fisheries Division - Marshall District

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Cypress Springs were surveyed in 2022 using electrofishing and in 2023 using tandem hoop 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 Cypress Springs is a 3,461-acre impoundment located on Big Cypress Creek in the Cypress River Basin. The reservoir is in Franklin County. Habitat features consist of bulkhead, boat docks, rocky shoreline, riprap, and limited aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. All sport fish at Lake Cypress Springs have historically been managed with statewide harvest regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in this reservoir in 1980, 1992 and 2015 to improve the quality of the Largemouth Bass fishery. Hydrilla, first discovered in the reservoir in the 1970s, has been absent since 2007. Triploid Grass Carp were stocked in 1997 and 2006 to control hydrilla. Additionally, a native aquatic plant restoration project was initiated by Franklin County Water District in 2003 to increase plant diversity and provide additional habitat. Environmental conditions and Grass Carp herbivory have resulted in unstable submersed aquatic plant coverage in the reservoir.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Conduct electrofishing in 2024 and 2026 to monitor the black bass community to assess any changes that may require further investigation. Continue to use tandem hoop nets to monitor the Channel Catfish and crappie populations. An angler creel survey will be conducted from March through May 2027. Conduct annual aquatic vegetation surveys to monitor for the presence of hydrilla and any other invasive species. Technical guidance will be given to the controlling authority regarding an integrated approach to invasive aquatic vegetation management when applicable. Vegetation surveys will also help monitor reestablishment of aquatic vegetation. When aquatic vegetation is at a level that will provide adequate habitat, Lone Star Bass stockings will be requested to enhance the quality and trophy potential of the fishery. All sport fish will continue to be managed under statewide harvest regulations.

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