Greenbelt Reservoir - 2015 Survey Report

Prepared by Charles Munger and John Clayton
Inland Fisheries Division – Amarillo District

This is the authors' summary from a 37-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Greenbelt Reservoir were surveyed in 2015 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2016 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Greenbelt Reservoir is a 1,990-acre impoundment located on the Salt Fork of the Red River five miles north of Clarendon in Donley County, Texas. It is owned by the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority, is used for water supply and recreational purposes, and has a history of significant water level fluctuations. The reservoir covered 750 acres in 2015. Angler access was good but boat access is limited to one low-water ramp. At the time of sampling, the habitat was primarily silt and gravel shoreline and flooded terrestrial vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, White Crappie, and catfish. Harvest of most species has been managed with statewide limits. An experimental 18-inch minimum length limit, three-fish bag limit was implemented on Smallmouth Bass in 1994 with no documented success. The special regulation was rescinded in 2001. An attempt to establish Yellow Perch as an additional game fish and forage for the Walleye population had limited success.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was high, and most were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegills was good and most were less than 5-inches long.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish abundance was similar to previous years and they were in good condition. Flathead Catfish abundance has remained steady.
• White Bass: White Bass gill net catch rates were much higher than seen in previous surveys and most fish collected were legally harvestable. Angling effort directed to White Bass is very low at 0.22 h/acre.
• Smallmouth Bass: No smallmouth bass have been collected since 2011 but a low-density fishery existed prior to drought conditions.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were relatively abundant but the population is dominated by fish <10 inches. Largemouth Bass were highly sought by anglers in 2012.
• Crappie: White Crappie abundance appears to be stable with a good number of harvestable fish with fair body condition. White Crappie was the most sought species in 2012.
• Walleye: Walleye abundance has declined with no evidence of young-of-the-year in the surveys. Body condition was good. Walleye were sought by 10% of anglers in 2012.

Management Strategies

Continue management under current statewide harvest regulations. The proposed sampling schedule is based on meeting specific sampling objectives for target species.

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