Davy Crockett Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Greg Cummings and Dan Bennett
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Davy Crockett Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing and trap netting. Bass-only electrofishing was conducted in spring 2022. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2022 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

Davy Crockett Reservoir is a 355-acre impoundment located on Dixon and Sandy Creeks approximately 14 miles northeast of Bonham in the Caddo National Grasslands. Davy Crockett Reservoir has high biological productivity. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and native aquatic vegetation (floating-leaved, emergent, submersed; greater than 40% coverage). Nonnative species, hydrilla and curly-leaf pondweed were identified near the boat ramp in 2021.

Management History

Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and crappie. The management plan from 2018 recommended discontinuing stocking of advanced fingerling Channel Catfish, additional spring monitoring of the bass population, infrastructure improvements, and vegetation control to increase angler bank access. The 14 to 18-inch slot limit for Largemouth Bass was changed to a 16-inch maximum length limit effective 1 September 2018. The USFS installed a new, floating access pier and placed gravel on the boat ramp to fill in fractures of the concrete ramp. Hydrilla and curly-leaf pondweed were treated near the boat ramp in 2021.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad provide ample forage for sport fish. Bluegill Sunfish were abundant, and other sunfish species, Redear, Green Sunfish, and Warmouth, also add to the forage base. Golden Shiner also provide forage for sport fishes.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were last stocked in 2016. Targeted sampling for catfish was not conducted in 2022 but catches of multiple large (>20-inch) Channel Catfish were reported and submitted as waterbody records.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass abundance increased from the previous survey. Spring sampling suggested increased abundance of bass over 18-inches.
• Crappies: White and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir. Black Crappie have become more abundant than White Crappie. Both species offered legal-length fish to anglers.

Management Strategies

• The 16-inch maximum length limit, adopted in September 2018, should be maintained.
• Conduct a supplemental electrofishing survey in spring of 2024 and 2026 to evaluate the relative abundance of bass over 18 inches.
• Monitor the spread of hydrilla and curly-leaf pondweed annually.
• Encourage the USFS to repair leaks on dam and damaged walls on spillway when funding is available.
• Cooperate with the USFS to educate the public about invasive species.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program