Greenbelt Reservoir - 2011 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Greenbelt Reservoir were surveyed in 2011 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2012 using gill nets. 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, is used for water supply and recreational purposes, and has a history of significant water level fluctuations. The reservoir covered 1,300 acres in 2000 and declined to 550 surface acres by April 2012. Angler access was good but boat access is limited to one low-water ramp. At the time of sampling, the habitat was primarily silt and gravel shoreline and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Management History

Important sport fish included largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, white crappie, and catfish. Harvest of most species has 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 The special regulation was rescinded in 2001.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: Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was high, and most were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of bluegills was much lower than in previous surveys, and most bluegills were less than 5 inches long.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish abundance has increased. Channel catfish were in good condition and reproducing. Flathead catfish abundance has remained steady.
• White bass: White bass gill net catch rates were good and most fish collected were legally harvestable.
• Smallmouth bass: The relative abundance of smallmouth bass has remained low. They do appear to be reproducing as the majority of fish collected in 2011 were less than 6 inches in length.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were relatively abundant and had good size structure. Body condition was below average for nearly all size classes but is similar to previous samples.
• Crappie: White crappie abundance appears to be increasing in the reservoir. Body condition was good and most fish are reaching 10 inches by age 2.
• Walleye: Walleye abundance has declined but they continue to reproduce in the reservoir. Body condition has declined but fish are still reaching 16 inches by age 4.

Management Strategies

Continue management under current statewide harvest regulations. The proposed sampling schedule is a continuation of the current schedule. A creel survey will be conducted in spring 2014 to determine angling pressure and preferences.

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