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Brownwood Reservoir 2020 Survey Report media download(PDF 525.7 KB)

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Brownwood Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer and Natalie Goldstrohm
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 30-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Brownwood Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 and 2020 by electrofishing, 2020 by trap netting, and in 2021 by gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2021 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Brownwood Reservoir is a 6,814-acre impoundment constructed on Pecan Bayou and its tributary, Jim Ned Creek, in the Colorado River Basin about 70 miles southeast of City of Abilene and about 6 miles north of the City of Brownwood, Texas. The reservoir was constructed in 1933 and is used for municipal water supply, flood control, and recreation. The reservoir is controlled by the Brown County Water Improvement District. Rainfall during 2015-2016 refilled the reservoir and increased water level to over conservation pool elevation. Subsequently, water level fluctuated between 7 feet below to slightly over conservation pool. During the habitat survey, the areas surveyed in the reservoir were primarily featureless, though observed vegetation was mostly inundated terrestrial vegetation and shoreline habitat was typically rocky. Boater access was available at all public ramps during the survey period, and bank angler access was limited to areas near the boat ramps and Lake Brownwood State Park.

Management History

Palmetto Bass were regularly stocked from the 1980’s through mid-1990’s, but stockings were discontinued because of the lack of directed fishing effort. Largemouth Bass harvest was managed with a 16-inch minimum length limit (MLL) from 1 September 1992 to 31 August 1999. Thereafter, the regulation was changed to a 14-inch MLL. Blue Catfish were stocked in 2007, 2010, and 2016 to improve the catfish fishery.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program



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