Jun 16 2008

Recreation Opportunities

Published by scwdus

The Somervell County Water District is currently working with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) to develop a park at the Wheeler Branch Reservoir. A preliminary park design has been drawn up by TPWD.  In January of 2009 the District was notified that it had received a boat ramp grant funding from TPWD in the amount of $326,250.  This amount will be matched 25% by the District.  Construction on the park improvements are expected to begin in the summer of 2009 and will initially include a boat launch, fishing pier, picnic tables, swim area and public restrooms.  The park is expected to be opened to the public by the summer of 2010 but fishing in the reservoir will not be allowed until Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists are satisfied an adequate fishery has been established.  This could possibly be later than the 2010 date depending on growth and survival rates of the fish stockings.  It is expected the reservoir will have water craft restrictions with regard to motor size and craft speed.

TPWD began a fish stocking program in the Wheeler Branch Reservoir in the spring of 2007. The following fingerlings have been stocked in the reservoir to date:

  • April 23, 2007 - 1,500 Threadfin Shad, 200 Inland Silversides
  • May 17, 2007 - 67 lbs. Fathead minnows
  • May 31, 2007 - 18,000 Bluegill
  • June 6, 2007 - 4,500 Florida Large Mouth Bass fingerlings
  • June 18, 2007 - 5,000 Channel Catfish fingerlings
  • July 11, 2007 - 4,000 Small Mouth Bass fingerlings
  • Oct. 9, 2007  - 750 12″ to 14″ channel Catfish released in Town Lake at Heritage Park
  • Oct. 16, 2007 - 24,000 Bluegill
  • Oct. 30, 2007 - 460 Tennessee Small Mouth Bass
  • Dec. 5, 2007 - 1,000 Rainbow Trout - Town Lake
  • Feb. 20, 2008 - 18,000 Bluegill
  • Apr. 22, 2008 - 585,000 Wall Eye
  • July 9, 2008 -    9,000 Channel Catfish fingerlings
  • Sept. 10, 2008 - 4,300 Small Mouth Bass
  • Dec. 8, 2008   -  1,500 Rainbow Trout - Town Lake
  • Jan. 8, 2009    -   1,500 Rainbow Trout - Town Lake
  • Apr. 21, 2009 -   450,000 Walleye Fry
  • June 1, 2009 -  5,200 Small Mouth Bass
  • December 10, 2009 - !,000 Rainbow Trout - Town Lake
  • January 7, 2010 - 1,000 Rainbow Trout - Town Lake
  • April 9, 2010 - 390,000 Walleye Fry

Fish Stocking at Wheeler Branch Reservoir



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