Gibbons Creek Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

Prepared by Mark A. Webb and Michael S. Gore
Inland Fisheries Division
District 3-E, Bryan, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 26-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 2010 using electrofishing and in 2011 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from March through May 2011 using an access point creel survey. 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-feet 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- to 24-inch slot-length limit for largemouth bass. The slot limit on bass was amended to a 14- to 21-inch slot-length 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 under a 14- to 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 daily bag since 1988. Channel catfish and blue catfish were managed with a 9-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish daily bag until 1995 when the minimum-length limit was increased to12 inches.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The prey fish community at Gibbons Creek Reservoir consists primarily of threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and bluegill.
• Catfishes: Substantial blue catfish and channel catfish populations are present in Gibbons Creek Reservoir. Blue catfish are dominant with an excellent size distribution.
• 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 including the16.12-pound reservoir record. Florida largemouth bass fingerlings are periodically stocked to enhance and maintain the trophy potential of the population.
• Crappie: Both white crappie and black crappie are present and provide a significant fishery at Gibbons Creek Reservoir; however, crappie catches in standard samples are low.

Management Strategies

• District staff will continue to monitor the largemouth bass population biennially with fall electrofishing. Largemouth bass genetics will be assessed and Florida largemouth bass fingerlings stocked when appropriate.
• District staff will monitor catfish and crappie populations by gill netting every four years.
• An access-point creel survey will be conducted in the spring of 2015.
• 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-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program