White River Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Jason Henegar and Charles Munger
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-A, Canyon, 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 White River Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2007 using gill netting. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

White River Reservoir is a 2,020-acre (pool was approximately 591 acres at sampling) impoundment on White River, a tributary of the Salt Fork of the Brazos River. White River reservoir is located approximately 55 miles east of Lubbock in Crosby County, Texas and is owned and operated by the White River Municipal Water District for municipal water supply. Water levels have declined since 2000. The reservoir has three boat ramps. All are currently above the water line. One temporary launch site is in place. There are no handicap specific facilities.

Management History

Important sport fish include walleye, white bass, largemouth bass, white crappie, and catfish. White crappie were overabundant in the system and had poor growth. Walleye stocking has been attempted to mitigate the overabundance of crappie. Florida largemouth bass were stocked in 1982, 2000 and 2003 in order to maintain a trophy largemouth bass fishery.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The electrofishing catch rate for gizzard shad was very high with good availability as prey to most sport fish. The electrofishing catch rate for bluegills was good but few quality-length fish were collected in 2006.
• Catfishes: Blue catfish and channel catfish were abundant in the reservoir and provided a quality fishery. Flathead catfish were present in the reservoir in very low numbers.
• White bass: White bass were present in low numbers. Size structure was good.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were abundant in the reservoir and provide a quality fishery.
• White crappie: White crappie were over abundant in the system. Size structures was poor with only two legal-size fish sampled in 2007.
• Walleye: Walleye were present in the reservoir and provided a quality fishery. Natural reproduction in the reservoir has been limited and is likely due to above optimal water temperatures during winter cooling period.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking program for walleye and Florida largemouth bass.
• Conduct electrofishing survey in 2008, gill net survey in 2009, and general monitoring with electrofishing, trap nets, and gill nets surveys in 2010-2011.
• Conduct habitat and aquatic vegetation surveys in 2010.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program