Grapevine Reservoir 2019 Survey Report (PDF 1.9 MB)
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Grapevine Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report
Prepared by Raphael Brock, Cynthia Holt, and Thomas Hungerford
Inland Fisheries Division – Fort Worth District
This is the authors' summary from a 43-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Grapevine Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using, low frequency electrofishing, electrofishing, and trap nets, and in 2020 using gill nets. A roving creel was also conducted from June 2019 thru March 2020. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Grapevine Reservoir is a 6,684-acre impoundment constructed on Denton Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1952 to provide flood control, municipal and industrial water, and recreation. Grapevine Reservoir is surrounded by urban development and is 20 miles northwest of Dallas, Texas in Tarrant County. The reservoir contains 188,550 acre-feet of water at conservation elevation (535 ft. above mean sea level) and has an average a maximum depth of 65.0 feet. Angler and boat access are adequate. At the time of sampling the fishery habitat was primarily rocky and natural shoreline.
Management History
Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, and Blue and Channel Catfish. The Largemouth Bass population had been managed with a 14 to 18-inch slot-length limit from 1994-2016. It is currently managed with no minimum length limit but only 2 fish under 18 inches may be retained. All other species have been managed with statewide regulations.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Catch rates of these species were high. Bluegill catch rates were also very high.
- Catfishes: Catch rates of Blue Catfish was high with all gear types with quality fish available for anglers. Channel Catfish catch rate remained low.
- White Bass: White Bass catch rate remained low. This could be the result of spawning activity during sampling. However, anglers reports of White Bass catch was high.
- Black Bass: The Smallmouth Bass catch rate increased from the previous survey but remained low. The Spotted Bass catch rate was high with quality fish available for anglers. The Largemouth Bass catch rate was average but catch of fish above 14 inches was high.
- White Crappie: The White Crappie catch rates were higher than the previous survey. The catch rate of White Crappie ≥10 inches also increased slightly.
Management Strategies
- An additional largemouth bass only electrofishing survey will be conducted in fall 2021.
- A springtime smallmouth bass only electrofishing survey will be conducted in 2022 and 2024.
- Additional low frequency electrofishing will be conducted in summer of 2021 and 2023.
- Gill netting will not be conducted. A creel survey will also be conducted in 2023-2024
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program