Kirby Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer Jr. and Jacob Wright
Inland Fisheries Division
Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 43-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

From 2017-2021, 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 Abilene, Texas. The reservoir is an impoundment on Cedar Creek within the Brazos River Basin. From 2017-2022, the reservoir’s water level fluctuated. Water level declined from 2017 until about spring 2018 when heavy rains kept the reservoir at or above conservation pool until about summer 2019 when the water level declined about 4 ft. Heavy rains in 2020 and 2021 resulted in large increases in water level and were followed by rapid water level declines. Water level was -4 ft. by April 2022. Predominant habitat features consisted of mud flats, rocks, brush, and vegetation mostly consisted of bulrush, cattails, flooded terrestrial vegetation, 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, Largemouth Bass, and sunfishes. All sport fishes, except for Blue and Channel catfishes, were managed under statewide harvest regulations. In 2021, Blue and Channel catfishes harvest regulations were modified to allow for harvest without a minimum length limit and a daily bag limit of 25 fish/day in combination with no more than 5 fish ≥20 inches TL and no more than 1≥ 30 inches total length (TL).

Fish Community

• Prey species:Gizzard Shad catch rates were good and fluctuated during the survey period, but the 2021 rate was similar to that reported in 2016. The Index of Vulnerability were low and consistent with prior surveys. Bluegill catch rates fluctuated during the survey period but overall increased since 2016. During the same period, size structure was increasingly represented by larger fish (i.e., 5-6 inches TL). Longear Sunfish catch rates increased during the survey period. Green sunfish catch rates declined during the survey period. Overall, the prey base is sufficient to support the sportfishes within Kirby Reservoir
• Catfishes: : Blue Catfish total catch rates in gill net surveys were consistent to prior surveys. Catch rates of stock length fish decreased, but catch rates of fish ≥20 inches TL were similar. In 2021, lengths ranged from 6-30 inches TL. Body conditions were fair to excellent and improved with body length. Channel Catfish total and stock catch rates in tandem hoop net and gill net surveys fluctuated during the survey period. Catfishes supported the most popular fishery among anglers (about 86% overall effort) during the 2019-2020 creel survey. Most legal Blue Catfish (about 75%) and Channel Catfish (about 71%) caught by anglers were released.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass total catch rates fluctuated during the survey period but overall increased. Catch rates of legal Largemouth Bass remained low. In the recent sample there were more smaller fish represented compared to prior surveys. Anglers reported 2.5% of the total fishing effort targeting Largemouth Bass during the 2019-2020 creel survey. About 64% of legal Largemouth Bass caught by anglers during the creel survey were released.
• White Crappie: White Crappie total and stock catch rates increased substantially during the survey period. Legal fish increased in surveys during the monitoring period. Lengths ranged from 7-11 inches TL, and body conditions were good. Anglers allocated 1.6% of the total fishing effort targeting White Crappie during the 2019-2020 creel survey. About 56% of legal White Crappie caught during the creel survey were released

Management Strategies

• Surveys to be conducted include low-frequency electrofishing in spring 2025, tandem hoop netting in summer 2025, electrofishing and trap netting in fall 2025, and gill netting in spring 2026.
• Vegetation and access surveys will be conducted during summer 2025.
• Improvements to shorelinebased angler access will be discussed with the controlling authority and other potential partners.

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