Lake Raven - 2016 Survey Report

Prepared by Mark Webb and Alice Best
Inland Fisheries Division
College Station/Houston District, Snook, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 29-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Raven were surveyed in 2016 using electrofishing and in 2017 using hoop netting. Anglers were surveyed from March 2017 through May 2017 with a roving creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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 Raven is a 203-acre reservoir located in Huntsville State Park. The reservoir was repaired and re-impounded in 1956 by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for recreational use.

Management History

Lake Raven has a history of producing trophy Largemouth Bass. The population has been managed with a catch-and-release regulation since September 1996. The regulation allows the angler to retain Largemouth Bass measuring > 24 inches for weighing on a personal scale in the boat with subsequent release or, if weighing 13 pounds or more, donation into the Toyota ShareLunker Program. Lake Raven has been included in Operation World Record (OWR), a program to compare growth of selectively bred ShareLunker Largemouth Bass fingerlings to resident bass fingerlings.

Alligatorweed, hydrilla, giant salvinia and water hyacinth have all been problem exotic plants to varying degrees at different times. Various herbicides have been used for chemical treatments. In addition, Grass Carp, hydrilla flies, and alligatorweed flea beetles have been used as biological control agents. Mechanical control and manual removal have also been used as part of an integrated pest management approach.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The prey fish community at Lake Raven consisted primarily of Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish. Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad were also present but provided limited forage.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish have been present in Lake Raven as a result of stocking but the populations have limited natural reproduction and recruitment.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant in Lake Raven and provided high quality angling opportunities. The lake has a history of producing trophy Largemouth Bass. Lake Raven has received regular stockings of ShareLunker offspring as part of the selective breeding program.
• Crappie: Crappie were present but not a significant component of the fishery at Lake Raven.

Management Strategies

• Largemouth Bass will continue to be managed for big fish potential by continuation of the catch and release regulation and annual stockings of Florida Largemouth Bass.
• An effort to establish an adult Channel Catfish population will be made through the addition of spawning structures.
• Implement strategies to improve the aquatic vegetation community including native vegetation plantings and control efforts of invasive exotic species to improve bank access.
• Improve pier fishing success by adding fish attractors.

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