E. V. Spence Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn D. Wright and Black Thornton
Inland Fisheries Division – San Angelo District

This is the authors' summary from a 34-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in E. V. Spence Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 and 2023 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2022 and 2024 using gill netting.  Anglers were surveyed from June 2020 through May 2021 with a creel survey.  Historical data are presented with the 2021-2024 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

E. V. Spence Reservoir is a 14,950-acre reservoir located on the Colorado River near Robert Lee, Coke County, Texas. It has a history of prolonged water level declines and has never filled to conservation pool. Golden alga Prymnesium parvum blooms caused substantial fish kills in the 2000’s that effectively eliminated the fish community. Subsequently, low and moderate toxic conditions have been recorded on an annual basis.  

Management History

The management of this reservoir has been impacted by chronic toxic golden alga blooms since 2001 and persistent low water levels. Florida strain Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, White bass, Bluegill, and Blue Catfish were stocked in years following significant water level rises in 2015 and 2018.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was highest on record with most small enough to be consumed by predators.  Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was low.    
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population continued to grow into larger size classes with many over 20 inches. The Channel Catfish gill net catch rate was low, however anglers harvested Channel Catfish up to 26 inches long. No Flathead catfish were observed during spring gill netting.
• Temperate basses: White Bass abundance in 2024 was highest on record for E. V. Spence Reservoir with many fish available from 13-15 inches. 
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance and size structure has declined over the past three surveys. However, Largemouth Bass were the most popular species for anglers with over 85% of all directed effort. Tournament effort for Largemouth Bass was 27.9% of all angler effort and tournament anglers weighed and released an estimated 1,521 bass.
• White Crappie:White Crappie were in low abundance with no fish over 10 inches observed in 2023. No angler effort was documented during the 2020-2021 creel survey.

Management Strategies

• Conduct additional electrofishing and gill netting surveys in 2025-2026, and general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2027-2028. 
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2027.
• A roving creel survey will be conducted from June 2027 through May 2028.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program