Fort Parker 2022 Survey Report
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Fort Parker Reservoir - 2022 Survey Report
Prepared by John Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division - Waco District
This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Fort Parker Reservoir were surveyed in 2022 using electrofishing and in 2023 using trap netting. Historical data are presented with the 2022-2023 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
Fort Parker Reservoir is a 750-acre impoundment located within Fort Parker State Park in Limestone County, Texas. Water level has fluctuated greatly since 2019 although it is not formally gauged. Mean and maximum water depths are four and eight feet respectively, and the reservoir is considered hypereutrophic. Excessive sedimentation has made the upper two-thirds of the reservoir unnavigable and only the lower one-third is sampled. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and stands of cutgrass.
Management History
Important sportfishes include catfishes, White Crappie and Largemouth Bass. Channel Catfish were stocked most recently in 2022. Blue Catfish and Largemouth Bass were both stocked in 2021. Sportfishes are currently managed with statewide regulations, except that there is no minimum length limit on catfishes, and the daily bag limit is five (in any combination); also, fishing is by pole and line only. In 2019, Waco district staff worked with the Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Team (AHE) and Fort Parker State Park staff to treat giant cut grass stands along a large peninsula on the lower end of the lake; these stands had caused access issues for bank anglers for decades (Appendix D). The AHE team treated this area during May and July 2019. Recent management efforts include maintaining and updating aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage and educating constituents about the threat of AIS.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Forage abundance was low. Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad and Bluegill were all collected in historically low numbers.
- Catfishes: The Channel Catfish catch rate was above the historical average while that of Blue Catfish was below the historical average. Body condition was good to excellent for both species.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rates were the second lowest on record for the reservoir with only five individuals collected. All five individuals were of legal length and body condition was good to excellent.
- Crappies: Crappie abundance was near a historical low. Most of the White Crappie collected were sub-legal however body condition was excellent across length classes. Black Crappie were present in low numbers.
Management Strategies
- Continue managing Fort Parker Reservoir with existing regulations until September 1, 2023 – and with the newly proposed regulations thereafter.
- Conduct a daytime electrofishing survey in fall 2024 and a low-frequency electrofishing survey in summer 2024 or 2026 pending reservoir conditions.
- Conduct aquatic vegetation, access and daytime electrofishing surveys in 2026 and trap netting and gill netting surveys in 2027.
- Monitor problematic giant cut grass stands and relate any issues with the AHE crew so that additional treatments can be performed as needed.
- Work to educate the public about AIS issues and protect the reservoir from AIS introductions.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program