Clyde Reservoir 2020 Survey Report (PDF 429.2 KB)
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Clyde Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report
Prepared by Michael D. Homer and Natalie Goldstrohm
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District
This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Clyde Reservoir were surveyed in fall 2018 and fall 2020 by using electrofishing, tandem hoop netting in summer 2020, and trap netting in fall 2020. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2021 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
Clyde Reservoir is a 449-acre impoundment of the north prong of Pecan Bayou created in 1970. It is located 15 miles southeast of Abilene and is controlled by the City of Clyde. Primary water uses are municipal water supply and recreation. In 2020, the shoreline was predominantly featureless, natural shoreline with rocky segments, and present vegetation throughout the reservoir consisted of mostly flooded terrestrial vegetation. Prior to 2016, the reservoir had nearly gone dry. In spring 2016, substantial rainfall refilled the reservoir to above conservation pool. Since refilling, the water level declined 3-5 feet. A fee is required to access the bank for fishing or to launch a boat at the two public boat ramps.
Management History
Clyde Reservoir historically supported a quality Largemouth Bass fishery. The current lake record Largemouth Bass is 14.8 pounds and was caught 2001. Fathead Minnows and Bluegill were stocked in 2016 to re-establish forage for sportfish. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2016 and 2017 to re-establish the previously existing quality fishery. Channel Catfish were stocked in 2016, 2017, and 2019 to help re-establish the fishery devastated by severe drought conditions.
Fish Community
- Prey Species: Gizzard Shad were numerous throughout the survey period, though Bluegill were dominant prey species in the 2020 survey. Longear Sunfish and Inland Silversides were also relatively abundant and were available as forage for sportfish.
- Catfishes: Channel Catfish had high relative abundance in the summer 2020 tandem hoop net survey. Availability of legal length fish was sufficient.
- Largemouth Bass: Catch of Largemouth Bass has declined since 2016, though the population appeared more balanced and had greater representation of legal length fish.
- Crappie: Black and White Crappie exist in Clyde Reservoir, though White Crappie are the predominant species. Catch rates of legal length crappie were low and similar to prior surveys.
Management Strategies
- During summer 2024, tandem hoop netting will be conducted to monitor Channel Catfish.
- An electrofishing survey will be conducted during fall 2024 to monitor Largemouth Bass and prey species.
- Trap netting will be conducted during fall 2022 and fall 2024 to survey for White and Black Crappie.
- A vegetation survey will be conducted during summer 2024.
- Measures to educate constituents about prevention of the spread of invasive species will be implemented.
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