Lake Pinkston 2007 Survey Report (PDF 381.4 KB)
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Lake Pinkston - 2007 Survey Report
Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-D, Jasper, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Pinkston Reservoir were surveyed in 2007-2008 using fall electrofishing, gill nets, and spring electrofishing. Anglers were surveyed March-May 2008 with a creel. Vegetation and access surveys were also conducted in 2007. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Pinkston Reservoir is an impoundment of Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Attoyac Bayou in the Neches River Basin. The City of Center is the controlling authority. Primary uses are water supply and recreation. This reservoir has a surface area of 447 acres at conservation pool (300 feet msl), a shoreline length of 4 miles, and an average depth of 20 feet. Water level fluctuations average 5 feet annually. Boat access is available with two boat ramps present, but they are in need of repair. Bank access is adequate.
Management History
Important sport fish include largemouth bass and white and black crappie. The 14- to 18-inch slot-length limit for largemouth bass (implemented in 1991) was changed to a 14- to 21-inch slot-length limit in 2001. Largemouth bass growth into the protective slot-length limit was good. Growth rates of largemouth bass were good with fish recruiting into the slot-length limit by age three. Hydrilla has been problematic over the years, and coverage has exceeded 50% of the reservoir surface area. In 1997, triploid grass carp were stocked at a rate of 7 fish/vegetated acre (2,100 fish total) in an attempt to reduce hydrilla coverage to 30%. Since these stockings, hydrilla coverage has declined with 30% coverage observed during the summer of 2007. Giant salvinia was discovered in the reservoir in 2006. A successful rapid eradication response was implemented and no giant salvinia has been observed since 2006.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Gizzard shad and threadfin shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of bluegill was high; few fish were over 6 inches in length. Other prey species included longear, redear, and spotted sunfish.
- Catfishes: Although channel catfish were stocked in 1987, no channel catfish have been collected from monitoring surveys since 1989. Reproduction and growth of channel catfish has likely been limited by the excessive hydrilla growth that has created conditions favorable for increased catfish predation by largemouth bass.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were abundant. Size structure has remained consistent from past surveys with a high abundance of fish within the protective slot length limit. Largemouth bass exhibited good growth rates and were in average condition. The current largemouth bass water body record is 16.90 lbs set in February 1986.
- Crappies: White crappie and black crappie were present in the reservoir. No directed angling effort was observed for crappie during the 2008 creel survey.
Management Strategies
- Continue to manage largemouth bass with 14- to 21-inch slot length limit.
- Continue to monitor trends of hydrilla coverage through annual aquatic vegetation surveys (2008-2011).
- Conduct additional biennial spring electrofishing surveys in 2010 and 2012 and a spring quarter (March-May) creel survey in 2012.
- Conduct standard monitoring with gill nets and fall electrofishing in 2011-2012.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-33 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program