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Nacogdoches Reservoir 2020 Survey Report media download(PDF 635.9 KB)

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Nacogdoches Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division
Jasper District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 32-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Nacogdoches were surveyed in 2020 using fall electrofishing and in 2019 and 2021 using spring electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed from March through May 2021 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2021 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 Nacogdoches is located on Loco Bayou, a tributary of the Angelina River in the Neches River basin. The City of Nacogdoches is the controlling authority. Primary uses are municipal water supply and recreation. At conservation pool elevation, Lake Nacogdoches is 2,212 surface acres and has a mean depth of 15 feet. Water level fluctuations average 3 feet annually. Habitat in the lake consists of submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation (mainly hydrilla, American lotus, and torpedograss) and standing timber. Most of the land around the reservoir is utilized for timber production, agriculture, and residential use.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Black Crappie. The 14- to 21-inch slot-length limit for Largemouth Bass (implemented in 1988) was changed to a 16-inch maximum length limit in 2008. Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings were stocked annually from 2008–2020 (except for 2012-2014) and ShareLunker Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2008 and 2020 to maximize trophy bass potential. Giant salvinia was first discovered in 2018. Since 2019, herbicide treatments and the introduction of giant salvinia weevils have maintained abundance to less than 5 surface acres.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program