Buchanan Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Patrick A. Ireland and Mukhtar Farooqi
Inland Fisheries Division – San Marcos District

This is the authors' summary from a 61-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Buchanan Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing and in 2018 using gill netting. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a fisheries management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Buchanan Reservoir is a 22,211-acre impoundment of the Colorado River located in Burnet and Llano counties. It was constructed in 1937 by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for purposes of hydroelectric power, water supply, flood control, and recreation. The reservoir lies within the Edwards Plateau ecological area with a drainage area of approximately 31,250 square miles. Shoreline length is approximately 140.6 miles. Only small amounts (<1 acre) of aquatic vegetation have ever been documented in the reservoir.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Striped Bass, Sunshine Bass, Largemouth Bass, and catfish species. The management plan for 2015 included: continuing annual stockings of Striped Bass; monitoring the Striped Bass population with additional gill netting; and, permitting the stocking of Sunshine Bass by the Lake Buchanan Reservoir Conservation Corporation (LBCC). Striped Bass have been stocked almost annually since 1977, and the reservoir is regarded as one of the best Striped Bass fisheries in Texas. Sunshine Bass have been stocked annually since 2006 by the LBCC. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in the reservoir in the late 1970’s and stocked again in 2008 and 2015 - 2019 to increase Florida Largemouth Bass genetic influence in the population. Blue Catfish were stocked in 1989 and 1990 to help establish a naturally reproducing population. White Bass were managed under an experimental 12-inch minimum length limit from 1995 to 2003. The regulation was rescinded after analysis indicated environmental factors, not angler harvest, were probably more influential in determining White Bass population density.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Redbreast Sunfish, and Bluegill were the predominant sources of forage.
• Catfishes: A new sampling approach for gill netting in 2016 collected baseline catch rates for Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish for future trend analyses. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, gill netting for Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfishes did not occur in 2020 for this report. In 2018, Blue Catfish was the predominant catfish species present. Channel Catfish were present in lower abundance and smaller size structure. Flathead Catfish were present in low densities.
• Temperate basses: A new sampling approach for gill netting in 2016 collected baseline catch rates for White Bass, Striped Bass, and Sunshine Bass for future trend analyses. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, gill netting for White, Striped, and Sunshine Basses did not occur in 2020 for this report. In 2018, White Bass abundance decreased, but remained moderate and similar to catch rates from previous surveys/Striped Bass gill net average catch increased over the 2016 survey. Sunshine Bass gill netting catches decreased in 2018 but still remained consistent with previous gill net surveys.
• Black basses: Largemouth Bass catch remained consistent in 2019 compared to the 2015 survey; most likely a reflection of stable water levels in the waterbody following the 2011 drought. Largemouth Bass growth remained similar to previous surveys. Guadalupe Bass were present in the reservoir. 

Management Strategies

• The reservoir should continue to be managed with existing fishing regulations.
• Combined Morone stocking rates will be modified to prevent forage competition and restore faster growth.
• Gill netting should be conducted biennially to monitor Morone spp. abundance, growth and condition.
• Conduct general monitoring surveys with gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2023-2024, with a supplemental gill net survey in 2021 to replace the missed survey of 2020.
• Access, habitat, and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2023.
• Continue to cultivate invasive species awareness to prevent spread.
• Implanted habitat sites for cover-seeking species should be maintained or restored.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program