Invasive plant spreads after Hill Country floods; Guadalupe bass, native species hold steady

Four months after major flooding in the Hill Country, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department began a year-long fish recovery and habitat survey in October on the Guadalupe, Llano, Nueces, Pedernales, and San Saba rivers.

Crews have been electrofishing and documenting species, sizes and habitat conditions. Early results show that many smaller tributaries are “relatively intact,” with declines of under 30%, a sign that TPWD calls encouraging for wildlife and local economies reliant on recreational fishing.

TPWD Fisheries Biologist Mitch Nisbet says native species showing strength include Guadalupe bass (the state fish), bluegill, gizzard shad and smaller largemouth bass.

“We had some surplus channel catfish that we stocked in Ingram Lake last week, and then we’ll be stocking Flatrock, as