Lake Quitman 2013 Survey Report (PDF 630.3 KB)
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Lake Quitman - 2013 Survey Report
Prepared by Dan Bennett and Kevin Storey
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-B,
Tyler, 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 Lake Quitman were surveyed in 2013 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2014 using gill netting. Aquatic vegetation and habitat surveys were conducted on Lake Quitman during August 2013. Vegetation reconnaissance surveys were also conducted in April and June 2014 to track the distribution of water hyacinth prior to treatment activities. Historical data are presented with the 2013- 2014 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 Quitman is an 814-acre impoundment located in Wood County, Texas, on an unnamed tributary of the Sabine River. It was constructed by Wood County for recreation and flood control. Habitat consists primarily of natural shoreline, boat docks, and emergent aquatic vegetation including the exotic species alligatorweed. Water hyacinth is also present and presents an ongoing threat to the ecosystem.
Management History
Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Channel Catfish. The management plan from the 2009 survey report recommended stocking Florida Largemouth Bass (FLMB) fingerlings at 100/acre. Recent treatment efforts for water hyacinth have included physical removal as well as aquatic herbicide applications.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Predominant prey species in the reservoir included Gizzard Shad, Bluegill, and Threadfin Shad. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was high, with the majority of Gizzard Shad being available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was moderate with a majority of small individuals. Threadfin Shad were present.
- Catfishes: Catch rate of Channel Catfish has historically been low, yet increased in the 2014 survey. The majority of fish were of harvestable size.
- Black bass: Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass were both present in the reservoir in moderate density. The Largemouth Bass population was dominated by fish under 14 inches.
- Crappies: White and Black Crappie were both present in the reservoir, and were the most sought after sport fish in a 2010 spring creel survey. White Crappie was the predominant species in the reservoir.
Management Strategies
- Conduct standard monitoring with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2017 to 2018.
- Conduct a roving creel survey in spring 2018 to monitor fishing effort, catch, and harvest rates.
- Conduct annual surveys to monitor distribution and acreage of water hyacinth and recommend treatments as required.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-4 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program