Fisheries Management Services for Texas Lakes and Ponds
Fisheries Management is the science of shaping an existing fish population to meet the angling goals of a lake owner. Common goals in Texas lakes include trophy bass production, quality panfish, high catch rates, and growing edible sized catfish. In most cases, our goal as fisheries biologists is to reach the maximum sustained yield from your lake or pond.
A professional fisheries management plan usually starts with a full assessment of the existing fish population. We look at things like species diversity and densities, size distributions, growth rates, and the body condition (health) of your gamefish and forage species.
The Magnolia Fisheries’ team includes the most qualified private sector fisheries biologists in north Texas. Our surveys allow us to make informed decisions on how to manage gamefish and forage stocks; especially when quality fishing is an objective.
healthier fish population
Electrofishing Services
We use state of the art electrofishing equipment that sends a carefully controlled electrical current into the water to stun fish, bringing them to the surface. This allows for the easy collection, examination, and in some cases, removal of stunted bass or undesirable species. The fish quickly recover and are released live back into the lake after the data has been collected. This method has been used since the 1950’s and is the safest and most humane method of sampling fish populations.
For very small ponds, we may recommend shoreline seining to sample the population. Only a portion of the total fish population is required for a qualified fisheries biologist to make informed conclusions and recommendations.
Magnolia Fisheries’ fish relocation team is the most experienced in Texas.
Electrofishing is also used in other situations. Some lake and pond construction projects, including dam repairs or dredging, require that waters be drawn down and fish relocated to another water body. Federal and State regulations may require an Aquatic Resource Relocation Plan (ARRP) to be filed before any work is done. If not under federal or state authority, you may personally choose to preserve your fish and move them to a different pond on your property.
The ARRP as required by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) details the project site location, description of the project, and how the aquatic resources will be removed. This plan also has specific language referring to the protection of threatened or endangered species and the disposal of invasive or exotic species.
Schedule your fish relocation today
Our biologists at Magnolia Fisheries will manage and perform the entire process, from writing the AARP (if required), fish removal, fish transport, and relocation into a suitable habitat. TPWD biologists are usually onsite for much of the dewatering process and fish relocation. We work closely with them to ensure that you are compliant with all regulations and that the fish end up safely in a new, happy home.
a survey
Recommendations based on facts
Once the data is collected and analyzed, we’ll provide recommendations regarding annual fish harvest and stocking strategies. Magnolia Fisheries’ advanced education, professional certifications, and years of experience allow our biologists to provide the most comprehensive fish survey reports in north Texas. Our recommendations are aimed exclusively at meeting your angling goals. We will not try to sell you services or products that you do not need.
Fisheries management also includes supplemental feeding, habitat improvements, and water quality management. We are experts at developing the proper forage base to keep your fish healthy. Increasing the size of your bluegill is key to growing big bass in Texas ponds and lakes; therefore, supplemental feeding is an integral part of a complete management program. This is best accomplished using automatic fish feeders. We are a certified dealer of Trophy Hunter fish feeders and Mossback fish habitat.