Lake Holbrook 2008 Survey Report (PDF 527.6 KB)
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Lake Holbrook - 2008 Survey Report
Prepared by Aaron K. Jubar and Kevin W. Storey
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-B,
Tyler, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Lake Holbrook were surveyed in 2008 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2009 using gill netting. Aquatic vegetation and habitat surveys were conducted on Lake Holbrook during July 2008. Additional assessments were conducted annually from fall 2006 through spring 2009 in order to monitor native plant species which were established in 2006. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Lake Holbrook is a 650-acre impoundment located in Wood County, Texas, on Lankford Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. The reservoir was constructed by Wood County in 1962 for flood control and recreation. The reservoir contains few aquatic plants. Structural habitat consists primarily of boat docks and standing timber, the latter of which is present in the northern portion of the lake. The few aquatic plants present in the reservoir are emergent vegetation confined to the shoreline.
Management History
Largemouth bass and crappie species are the most important sport fishes present. The management plan from the 2004 survey report recommended monitoring the Florida largemouth bass (FLMB) allele frequency using fin-tissue samples from age-0 largemouth bass collected during fall electrofishing. Florida largemouth bass were stocked most recently in 2008. Beginning in 2006, efforts were made to improve the diversity and extent of native emergent vegetation in the lake. Further, district personnel collaborated with the local homeowner’s association in a project to enhance existing habitat in the lake by installing several brush reefs and providing a map of the reefs for use by anglers.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Historically, clupeids (shad spp.) have been moderately abundant in Lake Holbrook. The predominant prey species include bluegill, redear sunfish, and other, less abundant sunfish species. Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was low, but was represented by a wide size range of individuals. Few threadfin shad were collected. Electrofishing catch of bluegill was high, but few bluegill measured longer than 6 inches. Redear sunfish were also moderately abundant, with many longer than 6 inches present.
- Catfishes: Channel catfish relative abundance was low. Body condition of channel catfish was typically adequate, but absence of sub-stock-sized individuals indicates a lack of recruitment.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were relatively abundant. Size structure was poor, with few individuals legal-sized (14 inches) or longer. Largemouth bass tended to be of moderate body condition, indicating adequate prey availability.
- Crappie: Both white and black crappies were present in the reservoir, with white crappie being more abundant. Although relative abundance was low, both crappie species showed good size distribution and body condition.
Management Strategies
- Conduct additional vegetation assessments on an annual basis to monitor the introduced native emergent species and redistribute plants within the reservoir as appropriate.
- Continue working with the local homeowner’s association to enhance fish habitat in the lake.
- Continue with standard fisheries monitoring using electrofishing and gill netting surveys in 2012-2013.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-34 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program