Abilene Reservoir 2019 Survey Report (PDF 527.9 KB)
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Abilene Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report
Prepared by Michael D. Homer and Natalie Goldstrohm
Inland Fisheries Division – Abilene District
This is the authors' summary from a 26-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Abilene Reservoir were surveyed by electrofishing in 2017 and 2019 and by trap netting in 2019. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Abilene Reservoir is a 640-acre impoundment constructed on Elm Creek in the Brazos River Basin, and it is approximately 18 miles southwest of Abilene, Texas. The reservoir’s primary function is recreation, but it historically provided some municipal water supply to City of Abilene. In 2005, operation and control of the reservoir was transferred from City of Abilene to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) – Abilene State Park. The reservoir experiences extreme water level fluctuations and went completely dry in spring 2014. Between winter 2015 and the spring 2016, the reservoir filled to over conservation pool elevation. During this study period, water level fluctuated between conservation pool elevation and nearly 12 feet below conservation pool elevation.
Management History
After TPWD – Abilene State Park took control of the reservoir, harvest regulations for Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish were changed to a no minimum length limit and a five-fish daily bag limit in any combination. Management stockings of Gizzard Shad and sunfishes were conducted in spring 2016 to reestablish the prey species community following reservoir refill. Following the prey species stockings, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2016 and 2017. White Crappie were stocked in 2016.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Gizzard Shad and sunfish were the predominant prey species. Gizzard Shad catch rate was good but declined. However, numbers were fair and Gizzard Shad were a suitable prey size for sport fish. Relative abundance of Bluegill had substantially declined. Number of prey should not be limiting sport fish growth.
- Catfish: Channel Catfish have been restocked in the reservoir and were observed during the electrofishing and trap netting surveys. Targeted sampling for Channel Catfish was not conducted during this survey period.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were present in low numbers in 2019 and moderate numbers in 2017. In 2017, PSD was indicative of a reestablishing population with many fish ≥ stock-length with few larger size fish. Mean relative weights were optimal (Wr >90) to excellent (Wr ≥100). There was a high percentage of Florida Largemouth Bass alleles.
- White Crappie: Total catch rate of White Crappie was great and catch rate of stock-length fish was good. There were many fish ≥ stock-length with few fish ≥ quality-length. Condition was optimal (Wr >90) to excellent (Wr ≥100).
Management Strategies
Prior to 2005, sport fish species were managed with statewide harvest regulations. In 2005, TPWD Abilene State Park assumed control of the reservoir. Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish are managed with no minimum length limit and five-fish daily bag limit (in combination), and fishing is limited to pole-and-line only.
Tandem hoop netting will be conducted in late spring 2024 to sample Channel Catfish. Largemouth Bass and prey items will be surveyed with electrofishing in fall 2020 and 2023. White Crappie will be surveyed with trap netting in fall 2023. Relative abundance, size structure, and mean relative weight data will be collected on targeted sport fish. Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in summer 2023. Develop a plan for boat access improvements to be implemented during extended period of low water level. Inform the public of the threat and negative impacts of invasive species.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program