Braunig Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Randall Myers and Mitchell Nisbet
Inland Fisheries Division
San Antonio District

This is the authors' summary from a 44-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Victor Braunig Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 using electrofishing and in 2016 and 2018 using gill netting. Historical data are presented for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Victor Braunig is a 1,298-acre reservoir located on the southeast side of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. It was built in 1964 by City Public Service Energy (CPSE) for power plant cooling, and later opened for recreation. Recreation access is controlled by Thousand Trails Management Services, Inc., and paid entry is required. Water level is maintained at or near conservation pool by pumping from the San Antonio River. In some years, aquatic plants such as bulrush, cattails, and brittle naiad occupy up to 10% of the reservoir area. Total angling effort of boat-based anglers from March through August 2017 was 42,257 hours and angler expenditures were $308,654.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Red Drum, Hybrid Striped Bass, and Channel Catfish. Stockings of Red Drum and Hybrid Striped Bass have occurred most years since the mid-1970s and are required to maintain their populations. Advanced-size Sunshine Bass (4-6 inches), purchased by CPSE, were stocked annually from 2014 to 2017. Prior to 2014, the reciprocal cross Hybrid Striped Bass, Palmetto Bass (fingerling size), were mostly stocked. Largemouth Bass were first stocked in 1976 and last stocked in 2008, and both Florida and Northern-strain fish have been stocked. Sub-adult Northern Largemouth Bass, purchased by CPSE, were stocked in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008 to support a TPWD research project evaluating the effectiveness of this stocking strategy for changing population genetics and increasing population abundance. Numerous other species were stocked historically including marine fishes, to provide additional and unique angling opportunities. All sport fish are currently managed with statewide regulations, except Red Drum which have a 20-inch minimum length limit and no maximum length limit. Various Largemouth Bass harvest regulations have been used, and the current minimum length limit of 14-inches was implemented in 2015.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad relative abundance has decreased considerably in recent years. The low Shad spp. abundance is likely cause for the low relative abundance of Hybrid Striped Bass (see below). Bluegill and Blue Tilapia are also important prey species.
• Channel Catfishes: Relative abundance declined during the study period. Likewise, fishing effort declined for this species and accounted for only 2% of the total fishing effort expended at the reservoir in 2017.
• Hybrid Striped Bass: Relative abundance during the study period was well below the historic average. The fishery for this species has declined over the years. In 2017, an estimated 80 fish were harvested and 559 hours of angling effort was expended.
• Largemouth Bass: Relative abundance was much greater in 2017 than in previous years, however, very few legally-harvestable size fish were present. The fishery for this species was inconsequential in 2017.
• Red Drum: Red Drum have become the most sought-after sport fish in the reservoir accounting for 82% of total fishing effort. Their relative abundance during the study period was near the historic average. Angling success has increased over time averaging 0.27 fish/h of angling effort in 2017.

Management Strategies

• Cease stocking Hybrid Striped Bass on an annual basis until Shad spp. abundance increases to historic average level.
• Conduct biennial electrofishing surveys (2019 and 2021) to assess prey species populations.
• Stock Channel Catfish fingerlings annually from 2019 to 2021.
• Conduct biennial gill net surveys (2020 and 2022) to monitor populations of Red Drum, Channel Catfish and Hybrid Striped Bass and creel survey sampling in either 2020 or 2021 to quantify these species’ respective fisheries.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species and conduct a vegetation survey in 2021.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program