Clyde Reservoir - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 13-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Clyde Reservoir were not surveyed in 2023-24 because lake access was not possible. This report summarizes the current condition of the reservoir and contains a management plan for the reservoir if water levels recover in the future.

Reservoir Description

Clyde Reservoir is a 449-acre impoundment of the north prong of Pecan Bayou created in 1970. It is located 15 miles southeast of Abilene and is controlled by the City of Clyde. Primary water uses are municipal water supply and recreation. Prior to 2016, the reservoir had nearly gone dry. In spring 2016, substantial rainfall refilled the reservoir to above conservation pool. Since refilling, the water level fluctuated substantially since and has been rapidly declining since 2021. A fee is required to access the bank for fishing or to launch a boat at the two public boat ramps. At the time of the report, all boat ramps were closed until the reservoir catches substantial water.

Management History

Clyde Reservoir historically supported a quality Largemouth Bass and White Crappie fishery. The current lake record Largemouth Bass is 14.8 pounds and was caught 2001. Fathead Minnows and Bluegill were stocked in 2016 to re-establish forage for sportfish. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2016 and 2017 to re-establish the previously existing quality fishery. Channel Catfish were stocked in 2016, 2017, and 2019 to help re-establish the fishery devastated by severe drought conditions.

Fish Community

• Prey Species: Were not sampled because of drought conditions and access closures.
• Catfishes: Were not sampled because of drought conditions and access closures.
• Largemouth Bass: Were not sampled because of drought conditions and access closures.
• Crappie: Were not sampled because of drought conditions and access closures.

Management Strategies

• Conduct exploratory electrofishing to determine status of fish populations in the reservoir.
• Stock Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Bluegill when the reservoir catches substantial water.
• Conduct management stockings of White Crappie to reestablish the population when water level is adequate (i.e., ≥75% capacity).
• Recommend removing the reservoir off the monitoring report rotation and write opportunistically when the reservoir has had at least four years of adequate water levels and an active fishery.

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