Leon Reservoir - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer Jr.
Inland Fisheries Division - Abilene Distrcit

This is the authors' summary from a 31-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Leon Reservoir were surveyed in spring 2022 with tandem hoop netting, fall 2022 with electrofishing and trap netting, and gill netting in spring 2023. Historical data are presented with 2022 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

Leon Reservoir has a surface area of 1,756 acres, and it was constructed in 1954 by impounding the Leon River. The reservoir is in Eastland County, roughly seven miles south of the City of Eastland, and it is controlled by the Eastland County Water Supply District. Leon Reservoir is used for flood control, municipal and industrial water supply for the City of Eastland, and for recreation. Heavy rainfall in 2015 refilled and flooded the reservoir, though water level dropped five feet below conservation pool by summer 2018. Fall 2018 rainfall refilled the reservoir to full pool. The water level declined to about 7 ft. below conservation pool by May 2023.

Management History

Sport fish in the reservoir include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Channel Catfish, and White Bass. Hydrilla was first documented in the 2010 vegetation survey and was mechanically removed in one northeastern cove; additional areas containing miniscule patches of hydrilla were not treated. Hydrilla has remained in low coverage in the reservoir. The most recent stocking (Lonestar Bass) occurred in May 2023.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, Gizzard Shad and Longear Sunfish comprised most of the forage base for sport fishes. Gizzard Shad catch declined over the survey period, whereas Bluegill increased. Relative abundance of prey species appeared suitable to support sport fish populations.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish catch down from the previous survey but similar to the 2015 gill netting. Sample sizes in these surveys were not large enough to effectively evaluate size structure and body conditions.
• White Bass: Total catch of legal White Bass have fluctuated in gill netting surveys. All fish in the 2023 sample were ≥ stock-length. The population appeared to produce ample quality-length fish to be used by anglers.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance declined in 2022 compared to the previous two surveys. However, the catch of legal-length fish was similar compared to previous surveys. Like previous surveys, most individuals captured in the 2022 survey had suboptimal body condition (mean relative weights ≤90). Prevalence of Florida Largemouth Bass alleles have increased since 2006 which may be a result of recent stockings.
• Crappie: Both White Crappie and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir, but White Crappie have traditionally been more abundant. The combined catch of crappie increased compared to the previous survey. Combined catches of legal-length (i.e., ≥10in.) individuals were low but nearly double the prior two surveys. Body conditions of crappie were adequate (mean relative weights >90).

Management Strategies

• Monitor Largemouth Bass and prey by electrofishing in fall 2026.
• Trap netting will be used in fall 2026 to monitor White Crappie and Black Crappie by trap netting.
• Channel Catfish and White Bass will be sampled in spring 2027 by gill netting.
• A roving creel survey will be conducted from June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program