Lyndon B. Johnson Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Mukhtar Farooqi and Marcos J. De Jesus
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-C, San Marcos, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 35-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 data for comparison. This report summarizes results of the surveys and contains a fisheries management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

LBJ Reservoir is a stable-level 6,502-acre impoundment of the Colorado and Llano Rivers in Burnet and Llano counties, Texas. It was constructed in 1951 by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for purposes of hydro-electric and steam-electric power, flood control, and water conservation. LBJ Reservoir has a drainage area of approximately 36,290 square miles and a shoreline length of about 154 miles. Residential and commercial properties border most of the shoreline area.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Bass, and catfish species. Fisheries management plans for 2009 were to make the controlling authority and homeowners aware of the importance of shoreline habitat to the Largemouth Bass fishery (since shoreline habitat continues to be negatively affected by bulkheading), and to monitor aquatic vegetation due to potential expansion of exotic invasive species. In addition, the plans called for evaluating the progress of planted beneficial aquatic vegetation. The lake is managed under statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, and Gizzard Shad were the predominant prey species available. Threadfin Shad were also available in low density
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish was the predominant catfish species, although catch rate had decreased since the previous survey. Blue Catfish and Flathead Catfish were present in low densities, but tended to be large.
• White Bass: White Bass were present in low density; fish up to 14 inches in length were present.
• Black basses: Largemouth Bass were relatively abundant and the population size structure was good. Body condition was sub-optimal. On average, bass reached 14 inches by 2.6 years. Guadalupe Bass were also present.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were present in the lake and have been reported as providing fishing opportunities by anglers; however trap net catch rates have persistently been low.

Management Strategies

The reservoir’s fish population should continue to be managed with existing harvest regulations. Aquatic vegetation surveys should continue to be conducted annually to monitor coverage of non-native water hyacinth and Eurasian watermilfoil, and the potential for reintroduction of hydrilla. Mandatory gill netting, tap netting, and electrofishing surveys should be conducted in 2016 – 2017, and an additional electrofishing survey in 2014 to monitor Largemouth Bass.

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