Kemp Reservoir 2017 Survey Report (PDF 546.9 KB)
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Kemp Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report
Prepared by Tom Lang and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division
Wichita Falls District
This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Kemp Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2018 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2018 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
Kemp Reservoir is a 15,104-acre impoundment located on the Wichita River in the Red River Basin approximately 50 miles west of Wichita Falls. It had a primarily natural and rocky shoreline. The reservoir elevation has fluctuated greatly the last four years from >25 feet below to 2 feet above conservation pool (1,144.0 mean sea level). Kemp water quality is somewhat saline and highly conductive. It has had golden alga blooms since 2002 that have had an adverse effect on the fish populations.
Management History
Historically important sport fish include Striped Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfishes. Golden alga fish kills began in 2002 and have occurred periodically since. In response, Striped Bass were stocked in 2002, 2004, and 2005 with no apparent recruitment to the fishery. Excess fry from state hatcheries were stocked in 2009. All stockings ceased after 2009 because of the severe golden alga fish kills that were occurring. After evidence that golden alga had subsided enough that fish were surviving, Striped Bass were once again stocked in 2015 and 2017. In 2005, Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings were stocked but not a single Largemouth Bass was sampled in 2009. Channel Catfish were stocked in 2005 and 2009. Blue Catfish were stocked in 2002. Kemp has always been managed with statewide regulations.
Fish Community
- Prey species: The Gizzard Shad survey catch rate was slightly improved over the 2013 survey but still well below the historical average. Bluegill and other sunfishes were collected but are present in low abundance.
- Catfishes: The 2018 gill net survey found Channel Catfish abundance to be what it was before the golden alga fish kills first occurred in 2002. Standardized sampling had not documented any since 2004, even though they were stocked in 2005 and 2009. Blue Catfish and Flathead Catfish were not sampled in the 2018 gill net survey and have not been documented since the 2004 gill net survey, though there are probably a few individuals present in the reservoir.
- Temperate basses: The 2018 gill net survey resulted in the second highest Striped Bass catch rate ever documented at the reservoir. White Bass were not collected during the survey, last being documented in the 2006 gill net survey.
- Black bass: Historically, Spotted Bass were the most abundant black bass species, but their presence has not been documented since golden alga blooms began in 2002. Largemouth Bass abundance was at pre-2002 numbers. Most of the sampled bass were pure northern strain Largemouth Bass which were last stocked in 1971.
- White Crappie: The 2017 trap net survey resulted in a catch rate that rivalled pre-2002 fish kill abundance.
Management Strategies
- Conduct general monitoring with trap nets and gill nets in 2021-2022.
- Stock Striped Bass at a reduced rate every other year (≤5/acre).
- Monitor Largemouth Bass through informal angler provided information and by angling (as other District duties allow) since the water is highly conductive and thus difficult to collect a representative sample through electrofishing.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program