Hords Creek Reservoir 2009 Survey Report (PDF 308 KB)
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Hords Creek Reservoir - 2009 Survey Report
Prepared by Spencer Dumont and Ben Neely
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-B,
Abilene, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Hords Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2009 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2010 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
Hords Creek Reservoir is a 510-acre impoundment constructed in 1948 on Hords Creek. It is located in Coleman County approximately 55 miles south of Abilene and is controlled by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Primary water uses included flood control and recreation. Water level was high and relatively stable from 1992 to 1998, followed by a steady decline from 1998 through 2004. It filled in 2005, dropped 7 feet in 2006, and filled in 2007. Water level has steadily dropped since summer 2007 and was nearly 12 ft. below conservation pool in April 2010. Boat access consisted of several public boat ramps. Bank fishing access was excellent, and there were three handicap accessible fishing piers.
Management History
Efforts to increase Florida largemouth bass genotype to 20% have been discontinued because there was no chance of achieving a 20% level. Largemouth bass were monitored in 2009 and the population was abundant and had excellent size structure.
Habitat
The most prevalent habitat type was dead brush and open water. Aquatic vegetation was comprised of watermilfoil and Illinois pondweed. However, occurrence of these plants at the time of the survey was limited to shore/water interface and provided little value as fish habitat. Substrate consisted primarily of various-sized rock, but a clay/silt/sand composite was common as well.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Forage was abundant and consisted primarily of gizzard shad and bluegill. They were of a size that was available to most sport fish.
- Catfish: The channel catfish population improved since our last survey in 2006, and fish ranged in size from 9" to 25". Flathead catfish were present.
- Largemouth bass: Abundance and size structure of largemouth bass substantially improved since 2005.
- White crappie: Relative abundance and size structure of white crappie improved since 2005 and was similar to historical data from this reservoir.
Management Strategies
Survey largemouth bass and forage fish populations every other year. Consider volunteer creel survey to determine angler effort and catch of sport fishes.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-35 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program