be sure to click on thetpwd link in this email

The white bass fishery on Somerville definitely varies from year to year primarily based on recruitment from the precious years spawn. White bass can spawn within the reservoir on wind swept banks (shoal spawning) but in Somerville most reproduction takes place in the tributary creeks. Fish spawn on gravel riffles where water flows over the eggs. The eggs hatch in 2 to 3 days. ( http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_br_t3200_0022e/biology.phtml ) Unfortunately the flow in those tributaries in the early spring is hit or miss so spawning success is also hit or miss. As of 2005 our gill net samples showed a good population but again these fish are short lived and harvested heavily so the population can change from one year to the next. We'll sample this spring to see where we are.

Hybrid striped bass are stocked to help add consistency to the fishery at Lake Somerville but as you've noticed our hatcheries also have good years and lean years. Part of the reason for low hatchery production (and consequently lower stocking rates) has been golden algae in our hatchery production waters at the Possum Kingdom hatchery. We think we have some good solutions in place now so maybe the production will be more consistent. Hybrids grow to about 14 - 16 inches in a year and about 18 inches in a year and a half. Survival varies widely from lake to lake but at Somerville there are very few predators in the open water area where the hybrids live and plenty of food so survival should be high.

Thanks!!

Mark

Mark A. Webb
District Supervisor
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Bryan Inland Fisheries Office
mark.webb@tpwd.state.tx.us
(979)822-5067

Thanks Mark! That's good information to know! Will TPWD still do a survey even if the lake level is low like it is now come spring time?

Nice report, I just wonder how many Hybrids get taken out thinking they are a whit bass? Compaired to the other lakes in Texas, I find Hybrids harder to catch in somerville than the others. I keep trying to figure it out though. You have to work between all the ski boats and pleasure riders.

I haven't been in a while, any good reports?

hey sniper, looking at previous years stocking reports, their aren't near as many hybrids in somerville as their used to be, although the last two years stocking #'s were higher. even when tpwd had good #'s of hatchery fish somerville did't get as many fingerlings as other lakes, such as conroe. the links to tpwd in the email from Webb still doesn't explain the low population of whites. didn't the spring of 07 have pleanty of rain, maybe too much or so i thought. maybe my memory is gone. somerville used to be a great white and hybrid lake and fish were easy to catch once you learned the spots, lures and a few techniques{sp]. we usually fish on mondays but also fished some weekends usually sundays this past year, and our experience was the lake had very little fishing pressure than in years past except for early spring when the fish were in the creeks. man i know it would cause a ruckess but maybe shutting down the creeks during the spawn would help. it wouldn't be to fair for the guys without boats because that is when they do most of their fishing. whats the answer? maybe we can meet up there some time, most of my buddies have given up on the lake.

gary

here is my email to Webb.

-----Original Message-----
From: prkennel@peoplepc.com [mailto:prkennel@peoplepc.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 8:25 AM
To: mark.webb@tpwd.state.tx.us
Subject: somerville


Dear Mr. Webb,

We have been fishing Somerville since the early 90's, for years fishing for whites and hybrids was exceptional for numbers and fish size for both species. What has happened? Although we aren't pros at fishing we are above average or at least we thought so. For several years fishing for whites and hybrids has been on a decline. Most disturbing is the lack of white bass in size and amounts of fish being caught by us. Do most of the whites go to the creeks to spawn or can the spawn in the lake also? I have heard they can spawn either way, is this true? How long dose it take for the eggs to hatch? Is the white bass population down? I noticed from the stocking reports, hybrids aren't stocked as heavily as they were except for the last couple of years. What is the growth rate of these fish and what percentage survive from the initial stocking amounts to catchable size? Can you give me your analysis of the fishery for Somerville?

Regards,
Gary Ludwikoski