Mineral Wells Reservoir 2006 Survey Report (PDF 351.3 KB)
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Mineral Wells Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report
Prepared by Bruce Hysmith and John H. Moczygemba
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-A, Pottsboro, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 20-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Mineral Wells Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using an electrofisher and trap nets and in 2007 using gill nets. Habitat was surveyed in 2002. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Mineral Wells Reservoir, a 440-acre impoundment located on Rock Creek in Parker County, was constructed in 1920 by the U.S. Army and is situated at the east edge of Mineral Wells. During 2003 and 2004, water level remained above or nearly within one foot of conservation elevation (863 feet above mean sea level). Most recently, water level was below conservation elevation (Figure 1). Mineral Wells Reservoir has moderate primary productivity. Habitat features consisted mainly of rocky shoreline and native emergent vegetation, especially along the shoreline. There was some standing timber.
Management History
Important sport fish include channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white crappie. The management plan from the 2002 survey report included updating the web page for Mineral Wells Reservoir on the TPWD web site. Additionally, we stocked advanced fingerling channel catfish and adult Florida largemouth bass in 2005.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of gizzard shad was high with good numbers seven inches and smaller. Electrofishing catch rate of bluegills was the highest since 1998 and consisted mostly of four-inch and smaller fish. Both species provided excellent prey.
- Catfishes: Gill net catch rate of channel catfish was low and has continued to decline since 1998.
- Largemouth bass: The electrofishing catch rate of largemouth bass continues to increase, growth rates were slow, and the fish were fairly healthy. Electrophoretic samples produced no pure Florida bass, but the sample had 35.0% Florida largemouth bass alleles.
- White crappie: Trap net catch rate of white crappie was low and the fish were in fair to good condition. Growth was slow, requiring over three years to reach legal size.
Management Strategies
- Stock advanced fingerling channel catfish to augment natural recruitment and enhance recreational angling opportunities.
- Encourage park staff to conduct a creel survey to identify angling trends.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program