Belton Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 64-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Belton Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and in 2015 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2014 through May 2015 with a creel survey. 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

Belton Reservoir is a 12,385-acre impoundment located in Bell County, Texas. Mean and maximum water depths are 37 and 124 feet respectively, and the reservoir is classified as mesotrophic with water clarity averaging around six feet. Habitat features consisted mainly of bluffs, rocky shoreline, sandy beaches, and some standing timber.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, White and Palmetto Bass, White Crappie, and Catfishes. The management plan from the 2010 survey report included the continued evaluation of fry versus fingerling Palmetto Bass stockings, spring-time collection efforts for Smallmouth Bass for the hatchery program, working with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and bass tournament directors to improve the survivability of tournament-caught fish, improving habitat by introducing and monitoring native vegetation, and monitoring the reservoir for invasive species (e.g., Zebra Mussels) and educating marina owners and constituents about their issues and threats. Despite efforts, Zebra Mussels were confirmed in Belton Reservoir in August 2013, and the reservoir is now infested. Recent efforts have included a comprehensive public relations campaign to further educate Belton stakeholders about Zebra Mussels, how to inspect and clean, drain and dry their watercraft, and the new statewide water draining laws meant to prevent the spread of Zebra Mussels to other Texas waters.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad catch rates were near historical averages while Gizzard Shad catch rates were well below historical averages. Other forage species included Bluegill, Longear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish and Warmouth. Larger-sized sunfishes (particularly Redear Sunfish) were observed.
• Catfishes: The Blue and Channel Catfish populations are good, with fair catch rates and good body condition. Over 17% of all anglers at Belton Reservoir fished for some species of catfish.
• Temperate bass: White and Palmetto Bass were abundant in gill net samples, and had average body condition. Together, they accounted for 8.6% of the fishing effort in the reservoir.
• Black bass: Largemouth Bass were collected at near historical low catch rates, while Smallmouth Bass were collected at historical high catch rates. These populations had good size structure, and individuals generally had good body condition. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass angling accounted for 40.4% of the fishing effort in the reservoir.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were relatively abundant in the 2013 and 2015 gill net surveys, and had good body condition. White Crappie comprised 8.5% of the total angling effort in the reservoir.

Management Strategies

• Manage sport fishes at Belton with statewide regulations.
• Plant additional native vegetation as water levels allow.
• Maintain invasive species signage at boat ramps and inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species when presenting to Belton user groups.
• Conduct access and vegetation surveys during summer 2018.
• Survey with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in 2018-2019.
• Obtain a Category 3 age-and-growth sample for Palmetto Bass in 2019 to test the effects of stocking two different fry stocking rates.
• Obtain a Category 3 age-and-growth sample for Smallmouth Bass in 2018 to test the effects of increased water levels and fingerling stocking on year-class strength.
• Work with the USACE and constituent groups to inform and educate about best practices for tournament weigh-ins.

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