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Lake Bryan 2021 Survey Report media download(PDF 1.2 MB)

If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document, contact the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division for assistance.

 

Lake Bryan - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Niki Ragan-Harbison and Alice Best
Inland Fisheries Division - College Station/Houston District

This is the authors' summary from a 32-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Bryan were surveyed in 2017 and 2018 using electrofishing and gillnetting. Historical data are presented with the 2017 and 2018 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

Lake Bryan is a 737-acre reservoir in Brazos County, Texas, built by Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) to provide water for power-plant cooling. The lake has a small 1.97 square mile watershed and water level is maintained by a BTU-owned well resulting in a nutrient-limited reservoir ecosystem and fishery. BTU has worked to increase recreational opportunities and fishery quality since renovating the public park in 2018. The reservoir is located within a public park, and access for both boat and bank angling are excellent. The primary fish habitat is limestone riprap and scattered native emergent vegetation.

Management History

Primary sport fishes in Lake Bryan include Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, and Channel Catfish. A variety of small sunfish species are also present with Bluegill and Green Sunfish available in high densities along the rip rap serving as the primary prey for sport fish. Sport fish species are managed under statewide length and bag limits.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Increase feeding and refuge habitat by planting native aquatic plants in shallow parts of the reservoir to improve prey base and sportfish growth. Use straw or hay bales to protect young plants from wave action and increase nutrient input to the system in the form of detritus. Stock Largemouth Bass and catfishes if there is evidence of increased abundance of prey species after the electrofishing survey in 2023.

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

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



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