Kirby Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer Jr. and Natalie Goldstrohm
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 39-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

From 2014-2018, fish populations in Kirby Reservoir were surveyed by various methods including electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, tandem hoop netting, trap netting, and jug lining. 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 pool located within the city limits of Abilene, Texas. The reservoir is an impoundment on Cedar Creek within the Brazos River Basin. During fall 2000, the lake went completely dry but refilled by July 2002. Since September 2001, treated effluent water has been pumped into the reservoir to help manage the water level. After heavy rains in 2015 and 2016, the reservoir was refilled to full pool and has steadily declined in water level since. Predominant habitat features consist of mud flats, rocks, brush, and vegetation mostly consisted of bulrush, black willow, and exotic salt cedar. One boat ramp and one handicap-accessible fishing pier were available during the survey period, and bank-fishing access was plentiful.

Management History

Sport fish include Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Crappie, Saugeye, Largemouth Bass, and sunfishes. All sport fishes, except for Blue and Channel catfishes, are managed under current statewide harvest regulations. In 2011, Blue and Channel catfishes harvest regulations were modified to allow for harvest without a minimum length limit and a daily bag limit increase from 25 to 50 fish/day in combination with no more than 5 fish ≥20 inches

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was adequate and most were available as prey to sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high, and few Bluegill were over 6-inches long. Green Sunfish were also numerous and supported the prey fish community.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were numerous, but their growth to stock size was variable (2-6 years to 11 inches). Blue Catfish were relatively abundant, and fish ≥stock size appear to be available to anglers. Blue Catfish grew to quality-size in about 8 years. Flathead Catfish were relatively abundant, and many individuals ≥18 inches were available to anglers.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass had low relative abundance, which was similar to years prior. Catch rate of legal-sized fish was low, but those sampled had good body condition. Allele frequency for Florida Largemouth Bass was approximately 80%.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were moderately abundant with few legal-size fish available to anglers. Legal-sized fish sampled had good body condition. Aged crappie ranged from about 5-10 inches; the two crappie aged at 9.0-10.9 inches were age-1.

Management Strategies

• Conduct a creel survey during 2019-2020.
• Work with the controlling authority to address access and aesthetic issues (i.e., trash and road conditions) at the reservoir.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct routine monitoring during the winter for golden alga.
• Conduct biennial low-frequency electrofishing in late spring or early summer 2019 and 2021, tandem hoop netting in summers 2019 and 2021, electrofishing in fall 2021, and trap netting in late fall 2021.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2021.

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