Fayette County Reservoir - 2011 Survey Report

Prepared by Greg A. Cummings and Marcos J. De Jesus
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-C, San Marcos, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Fayette County Reservoir were surveyed in 2009 and 2011 using electrofishing and in 2012 using gill nets. This report summarizes results of the surveys and contains a fisheries management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Fayette County Reservoir is a 2,394-acre impoundment of Cedar Creek; an intermittent stream in the Colorado River watershed. It was constructed in 1978 by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for the purpose of supplying cooling water for steam-electric power generation. The reservoir is located in Fayette County, approximately seven miles east of La Grange, Texas. The reservoir lies within the Post Oak Savannah ecological area. Water in the reservoir is maintained at a near-constant level (1-2 ft annual fluctuation). During periods of low rainfall, water is pumped into the reservoir from the Colorado River. Surrounding shoreline is mostly undeveloped. Shoreline length is approximately 20 miles. Fayette County Reservoir was opened to fishing in 1979.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass and catfish species. Florida largemouth bass were stocked into nursery ponds during 1977 prior to reservoir filling. Largemouth bass have been managed since 1979 with several differing length limit regulations; but currently managed under a 14- to 24-inch slot length limit with a 5 fish daily bag, only 1 over 24 inches. Trap netting for white crappie was not performed due to historically low catch rates and the high cost/benefit ratio associated with collecting these data. Crappie have not been collected with any gear type since the early 1990s (Bonds and Magnelia 2003). There was no directed effort for crappie (De Jesus and Magnelia 2008). A volunteer angler survey was conducted from October 2004 to May 2006 to determine catch trends and length distribution of trophy largemouth bass. Aquatic vegetation habitat surveys have been conducted annually to monitor invasive species and evaluate angler access conditions.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Sunfishes were the most abundant prey species available. Threadfin and gizzard shad were available as well.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish were the most abundant catfish species present. Flathead catfish were present in low density.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were abundant.

Management Strategies

The reservoir should continue to be managed with existing length limit and harvest regulations. Aquatic vegetation should continue to be monitored with annual vegetation surveys.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program