Coleman Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Coleman Reservoir were surveyed in 2016 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2017 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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 fluctuations. Coleman was full in 2007 but dropped to a record low water level in April 2015. Water level rose after rains in May and July 2015 and filled to conservation pool after substantial rains in April and May 2016. Fish habitat primarily consisted of flooded terrestrial vegetation, standing timber, water star-grass, and inundated black willow. As of summer 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 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 2012. Largemouth Bass continue to be monitored for size structure, body condition, and Florida Largemouth Bass influence. Inform the public of the threat and impact of invasive species, specifically zebra mussels and salt cedar.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of prey species consisted primarily of Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, and Bluegill. Most Gizzard Shad were large and were not available as prey to sport fish. Bluegill were of sizes that were available to most sport fish. However, some larger Bluegill were available for a sunfish fishery. Other fish species were also available as prey.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish were present in the gill netting surveys in low numbers. Channel Catfish were the most abundant catfish species observed. Most of the Channel Catfish were of harvestable size.
• Hybrid Striped Bass: Hybrid Striped Bass (predominantly Palmetto Bass) were relatively abundant, and nearly all fish sampled were harvestable size. All fish sampled were either eight or ten years old.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were relatively abundant in electrofishing surveys, and the quantity of legal-sized fish sampled was fair. Body condition for most inch groups were adequate, which suggested that prey availability was not an issue.
• White Crappie: In 2016, White Crappie numbers in trap netting surveys improved from previous years. Some legal-sized White Crappie were available to anglers. Body condition for most inch classes was good.

Management Strategies

• Electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting surveys will be conducted in 2020-2021 for catch rates, size structure, and body condition. An additional gill netting survey will be conducted in 2019.
• Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in summer 2020.
• Stock Hybrid Striped Bass biennially to maintain the fishery.
• Continue to inform the public of the threat and 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