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Lake Brazos 2020 Survey Report media download(PDF 631.8 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document, contact the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division for assistance.

 

Lake Brazos - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division
Waco District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 41-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Brazos were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2021 using gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Brazos is a 523-acre impoundment of the Brazos River located in downtown Waco, McLennan County, Texas. There is no water gaging station on Lake Brazos, therefore water elevation data are not available. Bank and boat access on the reservoir are good, and include handicap-accessible facilities such as walkways, picnic shelters and fishing piers. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural shoreline, limited bulkheading, piers, bridge pilings and emergent aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, catfishes, temperate basses and White Crappie. The management plan from 2008 recommended annual monitoring of giant reed and working with the City of Waco on control efforts if necessary. Giant reed was monitored annually through 2014, at which time it was determined that it was not increasing in coverage and there was little probability that it would require treatment. Management plans from 2008 and 2012 included addition of new fish habitat, and to date, over 50 bamboo crappie condos have been placed into the reservoir. More recent management efforts focused on posting appropriate aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage at access points and providing technical support and informational materials for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) “Clean, Drain and Dry” campaign. A roving creel survey was conducted from June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 to determine the extent of game fishes sought and harvested. Management efforts from 2020-2021 include aquatic vegetation, boater access, electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting surveys.

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



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