Posted: Wed, 10 Jun 2015 01:19 PM - 38,121 Readers

By: Austin Statesman

Right now, we are committed to restoring the balance that has made this lake so special over the years. Aquatic vegetation is essential for a healthy bass fishery in Lake Austin.”-Marcos De Jesús

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partnered with Texas Tournament Zone and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Watershed Protection to install fish habitat structures assembled out of brush into Lake Austin on June 7, 2015.

TTZ, a Friends of Reservoirs chapter member, led fundraising efforts and volunteer recruitment to help restore fish habitat recently denuded in the lake. Ashe juniper (mountain cedar) tree cuttings were bundled and sunk at strategic fishing hotspots throughout the lake. TPWD district fisheries supervisor Marcos De Jesús said. “These brushpile structures will serve as fish habitat and will attract cover-seeking game fish like bass where anglers can target them for increased success. “

Lake Austin has been one of the most popular trophy largemouth bass destinations in Texas, listed eighth in the nation by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society in 2014. Recent extreme drought conditions led to the excessive propagation of hydrilla, causing operational concerns at Lake Austin. A more-aggressive aquatic vegetation control response led to the diminishing of aquatic vegetation within the lake.


“Unfortunately, the aquatic vegetation community has been impacted beyond our expectations,” De Jesús said. “Right now, we are committed to restoring the balance that has made this lake so special over the years. Aquatic vegetation is essential for a healthy bass fishery in Lake Austin.”

TPWD and its partners are working together towards this balance to make sure all stakeholder interests are met.

“Aquatic vegetation plays an important role in water quality, food webs and sediment stabilization,” said City of Austin Watershed Protection limnologist Brent Bellinger. “Keeping a balance of aquatic vegetation is a key to a healthy system.”

John Ward of TTZ pointed out that one of the most popular activities at the lake is recreational fishing, which generates important economic revenue for the area.

“Bass fishing at Lake Austin attracts anglers from all over the state,” Ward said. “Anglers come to Lake Austin looking for the fish of a lifetime, and we want to ensure that the lake sustains the quality fishing opportunities it has offered for years.”

Fish habitat site GPS coordinates will be made publicly available through the TPWD website. Anyone interested in similar reservoir habitat restoration projects on local lakes can visit www.waterhabitatlife.org for details.

For more information on TPWD fishing programs, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/