Daniel Reservoir 2009 Survey Report (PDF 311.6 KB)
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Daniel Reservoir - 2009 Survey Report
Prepared by Spencer Dumont and Ben Neely
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-B,
Abilene, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Daniel Reservoir were surveyed in 2009 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2010 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Daniel Reservoir is a 950-acre impoundment constructed in 1948 on Gonzales Creek. It is located in Stephens County approximately 65 miles northeast of Abilene and is operated and controlled by the city of Breckenridge. The reservoir provides municipal water supply for the city of Breckenridge. It was nearly dry from fall 2003 to spring 2007. It filled in June 2007, and water level began to decline in summer 2008. It was approximately 7 feet low at time of sampling. Boat access consisted of one public boat ramp. Bank fishing access was limited to boat ramp area.
Management History
Drought recovery efforts began in 2007 after the reservoir filled. It was stocked with various forage fishes and largemouth bass, white crappie, and channel catfish.
Habitat
Daniel Reservoir’s habitat consisted primarily or rock, brush, and black willow trees. There was some aquatic vegetation present (American lotus, Illinois pondweed, and smartweed).
Fish Community
- Prey species: Forage was abundant and consisted primarily of shad and bluegill. Black bullhead provided additional forage for largemouth bass.
- Catfishes: Channel catfish up to 21” in length were present in the reservoir.
- Largemouth bass: The largemouth bass population showed excellent progress since reestablishment in 2007. Continued improvement is expected because of ample forage base and large number of largemouth bass naturally produced in 2008 and 2009.
- Crappie: Both black and white crappie were present in Daniel Reservoir. Black crappie were 41% of the total catch in the 2009 trap-net sample. Size structure and abundance of crappie were excellent.
Management Strategies
Stress the importance of water conservation to fisheries management in Daniel Reservoir to city of Breckenridge leadership staff and local media. Conduct electrofishing and trap net surveys in 2011 to monitor forage, largemouth bass, and crappie populations. Catfish populations will be monitored with hoop nets in 2013.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-35 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program