Ray Hubbard Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Raphael Brock, Thomas Hungerford and Cynthia Fox
Inland Fisheries Division
Dallas/Fort Worth District

This is the authors' summary from a 36-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Ray Hubbard Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 and 2020 using electrofishing and low frequency electrofishing, trap netting in 2020, and gill netting in 2019. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Ray Hubbard Reservoir is a 22,745-acre impoundment constructed on the East Fork of the Trinity River by the City of Dallas in 1968 to provide water for municipal, industrial, and recreational purposes. Ray Hubbard Reservoir lies within Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and Kaufman counties. The reservoir is part of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. The reservoir has a 1,074 square-mile watershed that lies in the Blackland Prairies ecological region. The reservoir is 13 miles long and 3 miles wide (widest point). It contains 452,040 acre-feet of water at conservation elevation (435.5 ft above mean sea level) and has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Bank and boat access are adequate. At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily standing timber, native emergent vegetation, eroded banks, and rocky habitat in the form of riprap. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is present and has historically provided fish habitat. However, for the last several years the Hydrilla coverage has been minimal.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, crappie, White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, and Blue and Channel Catfish. All species are managed with statewide regulations. Hybrid Striped Bass are requested annually for stocking and provide a popular fishery. The reservoir has a population of large Blue Catfish and has produced ShareLunker Largemouth Bass. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked frequently from 2013-2015.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present and catch rate was lower than historic average. Gizzard Shad were also present in good abundance although lower than historical average. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish were also abundant as prey. Bluegill over 6 inches are available for anglers.
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population continued to be excellent with large individuals available for anglers. The relative abundance of Channel Catfish has gone down from previous survey. No flathead catfish were sampled during annual gill netting but are present.
• Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates were lower than the previous survey. Hybrid Striped Bass catch rate was low when compared to previous surveys.
• Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass catch rate was higher than the past several surveys with good size structure. Catch rate of fish ≥ 14 was high.
• Crappie: The White Crappie population catch rate was lower when compared to previous survey. Black Crappie catch rates increased.

Management Strategies

Ray Hubbard Reservoir has a popular Hybrid Striped Bass fishery, and quality Largemouth Bass and Blue catfish populations. Maintaining the Hybrid Striped Bass fishery requires annual stockings. Hybrid Striped Bass will be requested for stocking annually with alternating years of fry and fingerlings. An annual creel survey and intensive gill netting will be conducted in 2022-2023 as part of a special research project to evaluate Sunshine/Palmetto Bass stocking success. This will also provide updated catch rates and angler use rates of all species. An additional fall electrofishing survey and spring gillnetting survey will be conducted to monitor Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, and Hybrid Striped Bass populations. Florida Largemouth Bass will also be requested for stocking because of the reservoir history of producing trophy Largemouth Bass. The Blue Catfish regulation will change to no minimum length limit 25 fish bag limit with only 5 fish allowed over 20 inches and only one allowed over 30 inches. This change will occur on September 1, 2021. This regulation will be implemented to maintain the trophy Blue Catfish population in the Reservoir. Annual exotic vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor hydrilla abundance.

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