Cisco Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Natalie Goldstrohm and Michael Homer Jr.
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 Cisco Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 and 2019 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2019 using tandem hoop netting. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2020 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

Cisco Reservoir is a 1,050-acre impoundment constructed in 1928 on Sandy Creek, in the Brazos River Basin. The reservoir’s functions are municipal water supply and recreation, and it is controlled by the City of Cisco. The reservoir has a history of extreme water level fluctuations. From 1999 to 2016, the water level fluctuated between 11 to 23 feet below conservation pool (CP). As of May 2016, the reservoir was full and has remained within 5 feet of CP. Fish habitat during the most recent survey consisted primarily of rock, flooded terrestrial vegetation, buttonbush, standing timber, and cattail. Boater access consisted of two public boat ramps. Bank fishing access was limited to the main boat ramp area.

Management History

Sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, catfishes, and White Bass. Redbreast Sunfish and Redear Sunfish have historically been present. Attempts to establish a Smallmouth Bass population in the 1990s was unsuccessful. Florida Largemouth Bass were last stocked in 2020. Sport fish are managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Inland Silversides, and sunfish were present and available for sport fish. Relative abundance of prey species was fair. Few of the Gizzard Shad were of sizes that were available to sport fish. Bluegill was the most common prey species. Redbreast Sunfish were not observed during electrofishing; however larger Redear Sunfish were present in low relative abundance.
• Catfishes: Few catfish were sampled. However, Channel Catfish were present in low relative abundance. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir.
• White Bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir.
• Largemouth Bass: Catch rates of Largemouth Bass were fair with most of the fish sampled ≥ stock-length. The Largemouth Bass population was balanced with fish of legal length available to anglers. Mean relative weights were fair (Wr <90) to optimal (Wr >90). On average, it took 3.4 years for Largemouth Bass to reach 14 inches.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were present, but relative abundance was low. However, most fish sampled were of legal length. Mean age of 10-inch White Crappie was 2.0 years.

Management Strategies

• A Largemouth Bass-only electrofishing survey will be conducted in fall 2021 and an electrofishing survey for Largemouth Bass and their prey items will be conducted in fall 2023.
• White Crappie will be surveyed in fall 2023 with trap netting to maintain long-term trend data.
• Flathead Catfish may be sampled using low-frequency electrofishing if time allows.
• Tandem hoop netting and gill netting will not be conducted in 2020-2024.
• Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in summer 2023.
• Florida Largemouth Bass stockings will be requested if suitable littoral habitat remains available. Inform the public of the threat and negative impact of invasive species.

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