Brownwood Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer and Natalie Goldstrohm
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 31-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Brownwood Reservoir were surveyed in 2016 by electrofishing and trap netting and in 2017 by gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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

Brownwood Reservoir is a 6,814-acre impoundment constructed on Pecan Bayou and its tributary, Jim Ned Creek, in the Colorado River Basin about 70 miles southeast of Abilene, Texas. The reservoir was constructed in 1933 and is used for municipal water supply, flood control, and recreation. The reservoir is controlled by the Brown County Water Improvement District. Land use within the watershed is primarily agricultural, residential, and ranching.

Water level declined from 2007 to 2012, and reduced to nearly 16 feet below conservation pool elevation. From 2012 to 2015, water level remained low but fluctuated between 11 and15 feet below conservation elevation. Rainfall during 2015-2016 refilled the reservoir and increased water level to over conservation pool elevation. Habitat during the survey period was primarily inundated terrestrial vegetation, buttonbush, black willow, small boulders, and cobble. Boater access was limited to two of five ramps during most of the survey period, and bank angler access was limited to areas near the boat ramps and Lake Brownwood State Park.

Management History

Palmetto Bass were regularly stocked from the 1980’s through mid-1990’s, but stockings were discontinued because of the lack of directed fishing effort. Largemouth Bass were managed with a 16-inch minimum length limit (MLL) from 1 September 1993 to 1 September 1999; the regulation reverted to the 14-inch MLL. Blue Catfish were stocked in 2007, 2010, and 2016 to improve the catfish fishery.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Bluegill, Gizzard Shad, and Longear Sunfish comprised a majority of the prey species community. Shad and sunfish were available as prey to most sport fish.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish had low relative abundance in monitoring surveys. Exploratory low-frequency electrofishing in 2014 yielded a sample of only five Blue Catfish. Similar to previous gill netting surveys, most Blue Catfish sampled were legal size. Channel Catfish catch in 2017 was relatively similar to previous gill netting surveys. Flathead Catfish were surveyed with exploratory low frequency electrofishing, and half of fish surveyed were legal-sized.
• White Bass: White Bass catch rate in the 2017 gill netting survey declined since previous gill netting surveys, and most fish caught were legal-sized.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance was high, but it fluctuated in biennial surveys since 2012. Similar fluctuations were observed for stock-sized fish. Catch of legal-sized fish in 2016 somewhat similar to the 2014 and 2012 surveys, and ample harvestable fish were available to anglers. Water level fluctuations likely influenced catch rates and production of Largemouth Bass.
• White crappie: Catch rates for White Crappie in trap netting surveys have increased since 2009. In 2016, an increased catch rate of legal-sized crappie was observed. Catch rates and production of White Crappie appeared to be influenced by water level and availability of structural habitat and vegetation.

Management Strategies

• Continue developing and maintaining partnerships for improving fish habitat within the reservoir.
• Monitor saltcedar coverage and work with controlling authority and other experts and stakeholders to identify possible control measures.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program