Lake Winnsboro 2014 Survey Report (PDF 779.2 KB)
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Lake Winnsboro - 2014 Survey Report
Prepared by Dan Bennett and Kevin W. Storey
Inland Fisheries Division - Tyler North District
This is the authors' summary from a 34-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Lake Winnsboro were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2015 using gill netting. Bass-only electrofishing was also conducted in 2012. An aquatic vegetation survey was conducted on Lake Winnsboro during August 2014. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Lake Winnsboro is an 875 acre impoundment located in Wood County, Texas on Big Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. It was constructed by Wood County for flood control and recreation. The majority of the lake’s perimeter is natural shoreline, and the major aquatic habitat components are native emergent aquatic species and boat docks or piers. Less than 5% of the shoreline is modified with bulkhead or rocky shoreline.
Management History
Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, crappie, and Channel Catfish. Largemouth Bass population trend data has been collected through biennial electrofishing. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 1998, 1999, and in 2015. Planting of the native emergent aquatic species American waterwillow was initiated in 2010 to increase availability of aquatic habitat in the reservoir.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad are present in Lake Winnsboro. Catch rates of Bluegill were high, and the population is dominated by small individuals (<4 inches).
- Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population is of high quality, with many fish above the minimum-length limit. There is evidence of good natural recruitment, and relative weights are favorable. No Blue or Flathead Catfish were collected during the 2015 survey.
- Largemouth bass: The Largemouth Bass population has historically produced trophy-sized fish. The current population is dominated by small fish, with moderate abundance of fish stock-size or larger.
- Crappies: Black and White Crappie are present in Lake Winnsboro. Black Crappie are the dominant species.
Management Strategies
- Continue to monitor the Largemouth Bass population using standard fall electrofishing and an additional spring electrofishing survey in 2016.
- Document angler-reported catches of trophy-sized fish through a spring creel survey in 2019 and through tournament results.
- Continue with standard monitoring of the Channel Catfish population using gill netting.
- Continue efforts to establish native vegetation to enhance aquatic habitat.
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