Lake Conroe, a 20,118-acre reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, was impounded in 1973 to provide water resources for the City of Houston and the surrounding region. It has since developed a diverse and highly managed aquatic ecosystem, supporting both native and introduced species. The fish community includes popular game species, smaller forage fish that fuel the ecosystem, and non-native species that challenge the lake’s delicate balance.
Primary Sport Fish Species
The most widely sought-after species in Lake Conroe is the Largemouth Bass, which provides high-quality angling opportunities. The reservoir’s record Largemouth Bass, caught in 2009, weighed 15.93 pounds. Anglers typically locate these black bass in shallow water near marinas and boat docks during early spring and fall. During warmer periods, they shift to deeper cover, utilizing submerged timber and artificial habitat structures placed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to ambush prey.
Channel Catfish are the most abundant catfish species found throughout the lake. These bottom-dwelling fish are caught consistently year-round. Channel Catfish are commonly targeted in both shallow and deep sections using cut shad or prepared baits, often caught in the old river channels and main lake points.
Blue Catfish often reach much larger sizes than Channel Catfish, with the lake record weighing over 60 pounds. Blue Catfish populations have demonstrated strong recovery, showing steady improvement in recent years. The Hybrid Striped Bass, a cross between White Bass and Striped Bass, adds an open-water dimension to the sport fishery. They are often found schooling in open water, chasing forage fish over ledges and humps along the river channel.
Panfish and Smaller Game Species
White Crappie and Black Crappie are present in the lake. Crappie populations have shown signs of recovery, often congregating around submerged brush piles and standing timber. These fish provide excellent opportunities during the early spring spawning period and again in the fall.
The sunfish group is well-represented, with Bluegill being a dominant species that can grow to exceptional sizes in Lake Conroe, sometimes reaching 12 inches. Bluegill are commonly found along riprap and other shoreline cover, where they consume small insects and worms. Longear Sunfish and Redear Sunfish are also part of the panfish community. These smaller species are popular for family fishing outings and those using lighter tackle.
Essential Forage and Non-Targeted Fish
The health of the game fish population relies heavily on a robust supply of smaller forage species that form the base of the food chain. Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad are the predominant prey fish species in the reservoir. These schooling baitfish are a primary food source for Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Hybrid Striped Bass.
Non-targeted species play a significant ecological role. Common Carp are present, feeding on the bottom and capable of uprooting aquatic vegetation while foraging. This behavior can increase water turbidity and potentially release nutrients that contribute to algae growth.
Gar species, including the Spotted Gar and the Alligator Gar, are important components of the lake’s ecosystem. Alligator Gar, one of the largest freshwater fish in North America, are apex predators. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regulates the harvest of Alligator Gar, with a daily bag limit of one fish of any size and mandatory harvest reporting.
Stocking Programs and Invasive Species
The TPWD requests annual stockings of Florida Largemouth Bass to enhance the trophy potential of the bass population. The successful Hybrid Striped Bass program relies on consistent stocking to sustain the open-water fishery.
Stocking Triploid Grass Carp, sterile plant-eating fish, historically controlled invasive aquatic plants like Hydrilla. However, initial large-scale stockings reduced native vegetation, impacting fish species that rely on shoreline cover. Modern management involves incremental stockings of Grass Carp to allow beneficial native plant species to persist.
Armored Catfish (Plecostomus) and Tilapia are non-native fish established in the reservoir. Plecostomus are known for burrowing, which can destabilize shorelines and increase erosion. Tilapia compete with native species like bass and sunfish for food and spawning areas. If Blue Tilapia are caught, they must be immediately harvested, with the head or intestines removed.