Joe Pool Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock, Cynthia Holt and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division
Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 30-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Joe Pool Reservoir were surveyed in 2015 and 2017 using electrofishing, in 2017 using trap nets and in 2018 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Joe Pool Reservoir, a 7,470-acre reservoir located on Mountain Creek (a tributary of the Trinity River), was constructed in 1986 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. It was opened to public fishing in August 1989. Joe Pool Reservoir is in Tarrant, Ellis, and Dallas Counties four miles south of Grand Prairie, Texas. Historically habitat was composed mainly of shoreline emergent vegetation, submersed vegetation in the form of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), American Pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus), and flooded timber. However, at the time of sampling, fish habitat was greatly reduced due to recent flooding and was limited to mainly flooded timber.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Channel and Blue Catfish. Largemouth Bass have been intensively managed though harvest regulations and opened with an 18-inch minimum length limit. This regulation was changed to a 14-to 21- inch slot length limit in fall 1992.

Aquatic Vegetation

Hydrilla was first discovered in Joe Pool Reservoir in 1994. Coverage was less than 1 acre until it expanded to approximately 116 acres in 2003 and fluctuated between 100 and 120 acres from 2004-2006. Hydrilla began to decrease in 2007 and decreased to less than one acre from 2008-2010. In 2011 Hydrilla had expanded to 31 acres. Hydrilla totaled 63 acres in 2012 and 115 acres in 2013. Although Hydrilla can be problematic, the vegetation has had a positive impact on the Largemouth Bass population.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Theadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Catch rates of these species remain well below averages of other district reservoirs. This could be the result of the low productivity of the water. However, reservoir productivity is increasing which could benefit Gizzard and Theadfin Shad populations.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish catch rates continued to increase with several large fish (≥ 30 inches) captured in gill nets. Catch rate of Channel Catfish also increased compared to previous years. Flathead catfish are present but none were captured during the most recent survey.
• White Bass: White Bass catch rates were below rates observed in previous surveys.
• Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass catch rates decreased from previous surveys. This was likely due to decrease in vegetation habitat. Average body condition continued to be below optimal levels as in previous surveys.
• White Crappie: White Crappie catch rates almost doubled from the previous survey. The catch rate of White Crappie ≥10 inches also increased.

Management Strategies

An additional electrofishing survey will be conducted in 2018 and general monitoring with trapnetting, gillnetting, and electrofishing in 2021-2022. Annual aquatic vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor hydrilla coverage.

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