I would be shocked if any tilapia survived in Fannin County over the winter. Is it possible, maybe. But, highly unlikely. We stocked more than 25 lakes in east and north east texas last year and I have not had any reports of them making it this year.
Shad survive about 10 degrees colder than tilapia. 52 degrees for tilapia and 42 degrees for shad. This is a general guide line. In Fannin county I would say shad survive 3 out of 4 winters. Although it would be possible for them to survive 6 winters in a row if we had 6 mild type winters or die two winters in a row if we had to cold winter in a row. This winter was mild and would expect shad to have overwintered.
