Brady Creek Reservoir 2006 Survey Report (PDF 394.8 KB)
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Brady Creek Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report
Prepared by Randy Myers and John Dennis
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-D, San Antonio, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations were surveyed in 2003, 2004, and 2006 using electrofishing and trap nets, and in 1999, 2003 and 2007 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
Brady Creek Reservoir is a 2,021-acre impoundment on Brady Creek located in the Colorado River basin. It was constructed in 1963 to provide water for municipal, recreational, and flood control purposes. From 1999 to 2007, water level ranged from 0.5 to 15.8 feet below conservation pool elevation (1,743 feet above mean sea level). Boat and angler access was adequate with four public boat ramps. However, launching larger boats became difficult at two of the ramps and impossible at two others when water level was <1,733 feet above mean sea level. Primary habitat in 2006 was flooded terrestrial vegetation.
Management History
Important sport fishes historically include largemouth bass, catfishes, crappie, and white bass. Angler harvest of all sport fishes is regulated according to statewide size and daily bag limits. Florida largemouth bass (FLMB), blue and channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and threadfin shad have been stocked. Most recently, FLMB fingerlings were stocked in spring 2007 to maintain the genetic introgression level of FLMB in the population.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Gizzard shad and bluegill formed the reservoir’s forage base and are present in sufficient numbers and sizes. Threadfin shad were also present, but in low abundance.
- Catfishes: Relative abundance of blue catfish increased slightly, whereas relative abundance of channel catfish was consistent during the survey period. Size structures of both catfish populations were adequate.
- White bass: This species provides for a very limited fishery because of consistently low abundance.
- Largemouth bass: Relative abundance of largemouth bass was considerably lower in 2006 compared to 2003 and 2004. Limited structural habitat caused by the prolonged period of low water has likely reduced population abundance. Genetic introgression of FLMB in the population remained above the 20% target level for FLMB alleles.
- White crappie: Relative abundance of white crappie increased during the survey period; however few individuals exceeded the minimum size limit.
Management Strategies
- Encourage the City of Brady to lengthen the primary boat ramp and repair the associated courtesy dock to improve angler access under low water conditions.
- Stock FLMB fingerlings if the water level rises or is anticipated to rise to within three feet of conservation pool elevation.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program