Clyde Reservoir - 2008 Survey Report

Prepared by Ben Neely and Spencer Dumont
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-B, Abilene, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Clyde Reservoir was surveyed in 2008 with hoop nets, electrofishing, and trap nets, and 2009 with gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Clyde reservoir is a 374-acre impoundment 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 for Clyde Reservoir are municipal water supply and recreation. Shoreline habitat in Clyde Reservoir consisted of dead brush, black willow, button brush, and salt cedar in 2008. Severe drought conditions from 1998-2004 reduced the water level in the reservoir, but the reservoir filled to within four feet of conservation pool in late 2004 and remained stable through 2007. Water level has dropped steadily since 2007 and is presently estimated at 10 feet below conservation pool. Boat access consists of two public-use ramps, and bank fishing is available in several areas.

Management History

Clyde Reservoir has been a quality largemouth bass fishery in past years. The current lake record is 14.8 pounds and was caught 2001. Florida largemouth bass were stocked in 2004 and 2005 to help re-establish Clyde Reservoir as a quality largemouth bass fishery following severe drought conditions. Channel catfish were stocked in 2004 to supplement the existing population and replace fish lost during drought conditions.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard shad and bluegill comprised the main forage base for predators. Catch rates of gizzard shad remained high with greater than 83% of the population available to predatory fish. Bluegill abundance has steadily increased since the lake filled.
• Catfishes: All sampled blue catfish were greater than 18 in and the channel catfish population was dominated by 8- to 15-inch fish. Several flathead catfish up to 25 inches were sampled.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass size structure has remained consistent since 2004 and several fish greater than 18 inches have been observed in recent surveys. Largemouth bass were generally in good body condition. Proportion of Florida-strain influenced bass was high and implies that recent stockings were successful.
• White crappie: Abundance and size structure of white crappie have improved since 2004. High numbers of age-0 white crappie were observed suggesting a successful year class and the potential for increased abundance of legal-size fish within three years.

Management Strategies

Monitor white crappie and largemouth bass populations and advertise to angling community when crappie reach harvestable size and bass reach trophy size. Continue to monitor the blue catfish population and supplement with stockings if necessary. Additional electrofishing and trap net surveys are scheduled for 2010 to further assess the fish community.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-34 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program