Gibbons Creek Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Mark A. Webb and Jeffrey C. Henson
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-E, Bryan, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Gibbons Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2007 using gill nets. Anglers were surveyed from March to May 2007 with a creel. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Gibbons Creek Reservoir is a 2,770-acre reservoir located in Grimes County on Gibbons Creek in the Brazos River Basin. Impounded in 1981 by Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA), the reservoir is used for power plant cooling and recreational purposes. Angler access is excellent, with a 5-lane boat ramp, plentiful bank access around the boat launch area, and a 750 square foot fishing pier. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approved restrooms are available.

Management History

Gibbons Creek Reservoir opened for angling in March 1981 under a 14-24-inch slot length limit for largemouth bass. The slot limit on bass was amended to a 14-21-inch slot limit after one year and remained under that regulation until 1992, when a catch-and-release-only regulation was adopted. On September 1, 2002, the bass fishery was placed back under a 14-24-inch slot length limit and a five-fish daily bag limit with one fish over 24 inches allowed per angler per day. Crappie have been managed under a 10-inch minimum length limit with a 25 fish bag since 1985. Channel and blue catfish were managed with a 9-inch minimum length limit and 25 fish bag until 1995 when the length limit was increased to 12 inches.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The prey fish community at Gibbons Creek Reservoir consists primarily of threadfin shad, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Gizzard shad are also present but provide limited forage.
• Catfishes: Blue and channel catfish are present in Gibbons Creek Reservoir in very good numbers and sizes. Flathead catfish are present in small numbers.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass are moderately abundant in Gibbons Creek Reservoir and provide quality angling opportunities. The lake has a history of producing trophy largemouth bass. The reservoir record largemouth bass weighed 16.12 pounds. Florida largemouth bass fingerlings are periodically stocked to enhance and maintain the trophy potential of the population.
• Crappie: Both white and black crappie are present in numbers that provide a significant fishery at Gibbons Creek Reservoir. Trap net catches in monitoring surveys have been low in recent years, but angler catches are fair to good. A few crappie up to 12 inches were collected in the fall 2006 electrofishing survey.

Management Strategies

District staff will continue to monitor the largemouth bass population annually in the fall with electrofishing. Largemouth bass genetics will be assessed, and Florida largemouth bass fingerlings stocked when appropriate. Every four years, district staff will monitor crappie populations by trap netting and catfish populations by gill netting. An access-point creel survey will be conducted in the spring of 2011. District staff will continue to work with TMPA personnel to assess exotic vegetation coverage and implement treatments as needed.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program