Aquilla Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Aquilla Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2015 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2014-2015 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

Aquilla Reservoir is a 3,066-acre impoundment supplied by Hackberry and Aquilla Creeks within the Brazos River Basin, Hill County. Water level fluctuated moderately between July 2015 and April 2019. Mean and maximum water depths are 16 and 60 feet respectively and the reservoir is considered eutrophic. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and flooded timber.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Crappie, White Bass, Largemouth Bass and catfishes. An 18-inch minimum length limit was placed on Largemouth Bass in 1994 to provide additional protection of brood stock, improve densities, and maximize trophy potential. The regulation was replaced with the statewide 14-inch minimum length limit in 2012 based on un-changed population indices during the period, and a 2006 creel which showed continued under-sized harvest for the species. Hydrilla was discovered in 2004 and monitored annually through 2013 but is no longer an issue. Efforts to mitigate the loss of important fish habitat from sedimentation and loss of reservoir volume have included native vegetation plantings, transplanting native vegetation from within the reservoir and placement of artificial fish habitats throughout the reservoir. Recent management efforts include maintaining aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage and educating constituents about the threat of AIS, especially Zebra Mussels, whenever possible.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad were the dominant forage species present in 2014 and most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to sport fish. Other forage species included Bluegill, Longear, Warmouth and Green Sunfish.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish catch rates in 2019 were similar to historical averages. Flathead Catfish were not observed.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were abundant and collected in numbers well above the historical average in 2014. Few legal-sized fish were available to anglers.
• White Crappie: The 2018 White Crappie catch rates were similar to the historical average and good numbers of legal-sized fish were available to anglers.

Management Strategies

• Continue managing sport fishes at Aquilla Reservoir with statewide regulations.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of AIS and maintain appropriate signage at both access points.
• Conduct angler access, vegetation, electrofishing and trap netting surveys in 2022 and a gill netting survey in 2023.
• An additional fall electrofishing survey will be conducted during 2020.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program