Kirby Reservoir - 2009 Survey Report

Prepared by Ben Neely and Spencer Dumont
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-B, Abilene, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 42-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Kirby Reservoir were surveyed in 2006-2010 using creels, hoop nets, electrofishing, trap nets, jug lines, gill nets, and low-frequency electrofishing. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Kirby Reservoir is a 740-acre impoundment at conservation level and is located in the city limits of Abilene on Cedar Creek in the Brazos River Basin. The reservoir was completely dry in early fall 2000, but filled in July 2002 and has remained within five feet of conservation pool. Treated effluent water has been pumped into the reservoir since September 2001 and has helped maintain water level. Habitat primarily consisted of mud flats, rocks, brush, and bulrush. Two boat ramps and one handicap-accessible fishing pier were available for anglers. Bank fishing access was excellent.

Management History

Kirby Reservoir went completely dry in 2000. Forage and sport fish were re-introduced as the reservoir filled. District staff have maintained contact with city officials and encouraged them to retain a high and stable water level in the reservoir with treated effluent water. Saugeye have been stocked annually since 2001 (excluding 2003 and 2007) to provide additional sport fishing opportunities. Abiotic fish habitat structures were placed in the reservoir in 2006 and 2008 to increase fish habitat diversity.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Predominant prey species were threadfin shad, gizzard shad, inland silversides, and bluegill. Prey fish were abundant in Kirby Reservoir and were capable of supporting quality sport fish populations.
• Catfishes: A quality blue catfish population has been established and reproduction has occurred since the reservoir filled in 2002. Channel catfish were abundant although the population was mainly comprised of sub-legal fish. Approximately 60% of angling effort in March – August 2009 was directed toward catfishes.
• Largemouth bass: Electrofishing catch rates of largemouth bass were similar in 2007 and 2009. However, catch rate of legal-size bass (≥ 14 in) in 2009 increased from 2005 and 2007 surveys. Only 3% of angler effort in March – August 2009 was directed toward largemouth bass. Most largemouth bass reached legal size by age 2 or 3.
• White crappie: Trap net catch rate of white crappie was very high in 2004. However, catch rate has generally decreased since then. Nearly all white crappie sampled in 2008 and 2009 surveys were legal length (≥ 10 in). Most crappie reached legal size at age 1 or 2.
• Saugeye: Large stockings in 2008 and 2009 have resulted in many sub-legal saugeye in Kirby reservoir. However, there are legal-size saugeye (
  18 in) in the reservoir as well. A habitat use survey revealed that adult saugeye preferred open water and mid-water ledge habitats year round and increasingly inhabited the east bank in winter and spring.

Management Strategies

• Request saugeye stockings annually and continue to inform anglers about saugeye fishing opportunities.
• Conduct creel survey from March – August 2012 and determine if angling effort for saugeye increases. Additionally, examine saugeye gut contents in summer to determine if saugeye are foraging on age-0 crappie.
• Consider discontinuing saugeye stockings if angler effort does not increase or white crappie constitute a large portion of saugeye gut contents.
• Continue with evaluation of jug lines, gill nets, and low-frequency electrofishing surveys to sample blue catfish.
• Propose a regulation to remove the minimum length limit for blue and channel catfish and only allow harvest of two fish ≥ 24 inches daily.
• Conduct additional electrofishing and trap net surveys in 2011 and jug line, gill net, hoop net, and low-frequency electrofishing surveys in 2012.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-35 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program