Gilmer Reservoir 2016 Survey Report (PDF 405.3 KB)
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Gilmer Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report
Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Joseph D. Lechelt
Inland Fisheries Division
Marshall District, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 20-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Gilmer Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 and 2016 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2016 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
Gilmer Reservoir is a 1,010-acre impoundment constructed on Kelsey Creek in the Big Cypress River Basin and controlled by the City of Gilmer. Structural habitat consists primarily of natural shoreline features. Habitat is dominated by hydrilla and limited amounts of native aquatic plants.
Management History
Largemouth Bass have been managed with an 18-inch minimum length limit since the reservoir was opened to public fishing. The reservoir has developed a well-known trophy Largemouth Bass fishery. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has stocked Florida Largemouth Bass since 1996 and offspring of ShareLunker brood fish in 2011 to maintain this trophy fishery. Channel Catfish have been stocked in the reservoir, but a self-sustaining population has failed to establish.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rates of Gizzard Shad, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish were higher in 2016 compared to previous surveys. The majority of Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish.
- Catfishes: Sampling for Channel Catfish was not conducted because a self-sustaining population does not exist in Gilmer Reservoir.
- Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass population has been very consistent over the last three electrofishing surveys. Fish were abundant and the population size structure was good. The body condition of Largemouth Bass was high, which indicated that abundant prey fish were available.
- Crappie: Crappie are present in the reservoir, but trap netting surveys have not been successful in collecting an adequate number of fish during previous sampling efforts.
Management Strategies
- Continue stocking Largemouth Bass at 100 fish/acre every other year beginning in 2017.
- Conduct electrofishing surveys every other year beginning in 2018.
- Investigate the use of baited hoop nets in spring 2021 to collect crappie.
- Monitor hydrilla annually.
- Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2020/2021.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program