Coleman Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Natalie Goldstrohm and Michael Homer Jr.
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 39-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Coleman Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 by using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2019 and 2021 by using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2021 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

Coleman Reservoir is an 1,811-acre impoundment constructed in 1966 on Jim Ned Creek in the Colorado River Basin. The reservoir is used for municipal water supply, flood control, and recreation. The reservoir is controlled by the City of Coleman and has a history of water level fluctuation. Coleman was full in 2007 but dropped to a record low water level in April 2015. Water level rose to conservation pool (CP) after substantial rains in April and May 2016. Water level has fluctuated within five feet of full since 2016. Fish habitat primarily consisted of flooded terrestrial vegetation, standing timber, star grass, button bush, cattail, lotus, and water-willow. As of spring 2016 all boat ramps were useable. Bank-fishing access was limited to the boat ramp areas and near Press Morris Park.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass (i.e., Palmetto Bass and Sunshine Bass) and White Crappie. Sport fishes are currently regulated by statewide harvest regulations. Threadfin Shad were introduced in 1984 and 1985. Channel Catfish were first introduced in 1966. In order to maintain a Hybrid Striped Bass fishery, fish have regularly been stocked beginning in 1976. Florida Largemouth Bass were introduced in 1991 and were last stocked in 2019. Largemouth Bass continue to be monitored for size structure, body condition, and Florida Largemouth Bass genetic influence. In an effort to stop the spread of invasive species, aquatic invasive species signage has been posted. Also, outreach efforts provided continued engagement with partners and the general public about the negative impact of aquatic invasive species though the use of print media, social media, and public engagements.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, 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. Prey abundance should not limit sportfish growth.
• Catfishes: Few catfish were sampled. However, Channel Catfish was the predominant catfish species in the reservoir. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir.
• Hybrid Striped Bass: Hybrid Striped Bass were present in the reservoir in low relative abundance. All fish sampled were of harvestable size.
• Largemouth Bass: Catch rates of Largemouth Bass were good with some legal length fish available to anglers. The Largemouth Bass population was dominated by smaller fish with most of the fish sampled < 8 inches. Mean relative weights were below optimal to optimal. On average, it took 3.2 years for Largemouth Bass to reach legal length.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were present, but relative abundance was low.

Management Strategies

• Largemouth Bass will be surveyed in spring 2024 with bass-only electrofishing and Largemouth bass and prey will be surveyed in fall 2024 with electrofishing.
• Gill netting will be conducted in spring 2025 to determine if Sunshine Bass stockings were successful as well as to maintain long-term trend data on Channel Catfish, sample for White Crappie, and presence or absence of Flathead Catfish.
• Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in summer 2024. 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-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program