Greenbelt Reservoir - 2007 Survey Report

Prepared by Charles Munger
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-A, Canyon, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 34-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Greenbelt Reservoir were surveyed in 2007 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2008 using gill nets. A spring creel survey was conducted in 2006. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Greenbelt Reservoir is a 1,990-acre impoundment located on the Salt Fork of the Red River five miles north of Clarendon in Donley County, Texas. It is owned by the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority and is used for water supply and recreational purposes and has a history of water level fluctuations. The reservoir was 1,300 acres since 2000, then declined to 1,085 acres in 2006. Water levels rose to 1,300 acres through 2007. Water levels remained relatively stable since 2000 with fluctuations of only about 2 ft. Angler and boat access wais good. At the time of sampling, the habitat was primarily rocks, sand, water milfoil and flooded terrestrial vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, white crappie, and catfish. Harvest of most species have been managed with statewide limits. An experimental 18 inch minimum length limit, three fish bag limit was implemented on smallmouth bass in 1994 with no documented success. The special regulation was rescinded in 2001. An attempt to establish yellow perch as an additional game fish and forage for the walleye population had limited success.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard shad and bluegill were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was high, and most were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of bluegills was good, but most bluegills were less than 5-inches long.
• Catfishes: The channel catfish gill net catch rate remained stable at a low level, but fish were in good condition and reproducing. Flathead catfish were more abundant in gill nets than channel catfish but there was no directed fishing effort toward this species.
• Temperate basses: White bass gill net catch rates were good but few fish were documented in the creel.
• Smallmouth bass: The smallmouth bass population appears to be declining as indicated by electrofishing catch rates. There was no directed fishing effort toward this species.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were relatively abundant and had good size structure. Growth rates were poor as most fish had not reached 14 inches by age 4. Twenty-three percent of all anglers at Greenbelt Reservoir fished for largemouth bass.
• Crappie: White crappie were present in the reservoir and there was little directed fishing effort toward this species. Body condition of white crappie was average for the panhandle.
• Walleye: Walleye were relatively abundant in the reservoir and continue to reproduce. Body condition was average for the panhandle area. Few walleyes were documented in creel surveys.

Management Strategies

Continue management under current harvest regulations. The proposed sampling schedule is a continuation of the current schedule. A creel survey will be conducted in spring 2010 to determine angling pressure and preferences.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-33 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program