Squaw Creek Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

Prepared by John Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B, Waco, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Squaw Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2010 using an electrofisher and in 2011 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

Squaw Creek Reservoir is a 3,272-acre impoundment located on Squaw Creek in Hood and Somervell counties. The reservoir was built in 1979 by the Texas Utilities Generating Company to serve as a cooling reservoir for the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Station. The reservoir has a mean and maximum depth of 46 and 135 feet, and is considered mesotrophic. Land use surrounding the reservoir is primarily agriculture.

Management History

Important sport fish at the time of the 1997 management report included largemouth bass and channel catfish. White bass, although present in the reservoir, contributed little to the sport fishery. Palmetto bass were also part of the report for the first time, but not considered important. The management plan from the 1997 report included ending palmetto bass stockings and obtaining a sufficient sample size for largemouth bass to evaluate harvest regulations. The reservoir was closed for security reasons following the 9/11 attacks on the United States, and just re-opened to the public in May 2010. Since angling was denied during this time, no fisheries management work was conducted on the reservoir during its closure.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Forage species were collected by electrofisher in low numbers in 2010.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish catch rates were the highest on record for the district at over 30 fish per net night. Flathead catfish were collected in small numbers, and blue catfish were not observed.
• White bass: White bass were not observed in 2011 gill nets.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were collected by electrofisher in low numbers in 2010. Low catch rates were thought to be due to inefficient electrofishing from highly conductive water. Body conditions were excellent for all size classes. Additional data were collected on largemouth bass with spring 2011 gill nets.
• Crappie: Crappie were not observed in 2011 gill nets.

Management Strategies

Continue managing Squaw Creek Reservoir with existing regulations. Conduct general monitoring with gill nets in 2014.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program