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Coleto Creek 2020 Survey Report media download(PDF 3.1 MB)

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Coleto Creek Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Greg Binion and Dusty McDonald
Inland Fisheries Division
Corpus Christi District, Mathis, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 46-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Coleto Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using fall electrofishing, in 2019 using spring electrofishing, in 2020 using fall electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, and baited hoop nets and in 2021 using gill nets to assess population trends for important sport fishes. Anglers were surveyed from January through June 2021 with an access point creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2021 data for comparison. This report summarizes the survey results and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Coleto Creek Reservoir is a 3,100-acre (averaged 2,217 acres in 2020-2021) impoundment located on Coleto Creek in the Guadalupe River Basin, 13 miles southwest of Victoria, Texas. Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) serves as the controlling authority and the reservoir receives water from both the Coleto and Perdido creeks as well as several smaller tributaries. Primary uses include power plant cooling and recreation. Approximately 600 acres are used for cooling ponds and inaccessible to anglers. Water level is typically stable; however, over the survey period water levels fluctuated 5-feet from conservation pool elevation. Substrate was composed primarily of clays, deep loams, and small rock. Littoral habitat consisted primarily of woody debris, native floating-leaved vegetation, and periodically flooded terrestrial vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish species include Blue and Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and crappies. Palmetto Bass and Red Drum were previously stocked, but these stockings were discontinued due to low directed angling effort. Recent management efforts focused on monitoring and control of nuisance aquatic vegetation, enhancement of structural fish habitat, supplementing the Largemouth Bass population with stocking, compiling catch and harvest statistics on important sport fish populations, and exploratory use and evaluation of low-frequency electrofishing and baited tandem hoop nets to collect population data on catfishes. District staff has also compiled tournament data records to document catches of trophy-size Largemouth Bass. Historically, invasive aquatic vegetation (hydrilla, water milfoil, and water hyacinth) has restricted recreational access. Staff annually monitored access areas where invasive vegetation could restrict use. District staff worked with GBRA staff to manage invasive vegetation and herbicides were utilized for vegetation control, as needed. Angler harvest of all sport fishes has been regulated according to statewide size and bag limits.

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