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Walter E. Long Reservoir 2006 Survey Report media download(PDF 1.1 MB)

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Walter E. Long Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Stephan J. Magnelia and Marcos J. De Jesus
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-C, San Marcos, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 39-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Walter E. Long Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using electrofishing and in 2007 using gill nets. Anglers were surveyed from June 2004 to May 2005 with a creel survey. This report summarizes results of the surveys and contains a fisheries management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Walter E. Long Reservoir is a 1,269-acre impoundment of Decker Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River, and is located on the northeast side of the city of Austin, Travis County, Texas. The dam was constructed in 1967 for supplying water to a power plant operated by the City of Austin. The reservoir has a drainage area of 9.3 square miles, a shoreline length of 16 miles, and a shoreline development index of 3.3. The reservoir lies within the Blackland Prairies Ecological Region.

Management History

Important sport fish included largemouth bass, palmetto bass, catfish species and white bass. Palmetto bass were stocked from 2004-2006. Largemouth bass have been managed since 1993 with a 14- to 21-inch slot-length limit. Trap netting for white crappie was not performed due to historically low catch rates and the high cost/benefit ratio associated with collecting these data.

Creel Survey

Angler catch rate for bank anglers at the city park was poor, although fishing effort was high. Submerged aquatic vegetation along the city park shoreline decreased bank angling efficiency and angler success. Boat angler catch rate was good.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

The reservoir should continue to be managed with existing harvest regulations. Palmetto bass stockings should continue to be requested, but at a reduced stocking rate. Aquatic vegetation along the city park shoreline should be treated to improve bank fishing access and catch. Length-at-age for largemouth bass should be determined with an extensive age and growth sample in 2010.

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program