E. V. Spence Reservoir - 2015 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn D. Wright
Inland Fisheries Division – San Angelo 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 E. V. Spence Reservoir were surveyed with electrofishing in 2015 and with gill netting 2016. 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 winters of 2001, 2002, and 2003 that effectively eliminated the fish community. Subsequently, 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 low water level. Florida-strain Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish were stocked in multiple years following major fish kills due to toxic golden alga blooms. These stockings failed to produce a viable fishery. No stocking has been conducted since 2008.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad and Bluegill were present in the reservoir.
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population had adequate numbers of harvestable size fish, but few fish over 20 inches.
• White Bass: White Bass have historically been present at low densities, but none were observed during the most recent surveys.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were present in the reservoir, but most were below the minimum length limit.
• White Crappie: White Crappie have historically been present in the reservoir, but none were observed during the most recent surveys.

Management Strategies

Continue to manage under statewide harvest regulations. Continue to monitor for gold alga during winter months. Conduct additional electrofishing surveys in 2017 and gill net surveys in 2018. Conduct general required monitoring with electrofishing in 2019 and with gill netting in 2020.

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