Limestone Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division
Waco District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 32-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Limestone Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2021 using trap nets and gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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

Limestone Reservoir is a 12,486-acre reservoir within the Navasota River system in Limestone, Robertson, and Leon Counties, Texas. Water level was 1-2 feet below conservation pool (363 feet above mean sea level [MSL]) during the 2020 vegetation, electrofishing, and trap net surveys and near conservation pool during the 2021 trap net and gill net surveys. Habitat features consisted of boat docks, piers, bulk-headed shorelines, natural shorelines, and emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fishes include catfishes, White Bass, White Crappie and Largemouth Bass. The 2012 management plan included sharing information about the reservoir’s loss of volume with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD’s) habitat branch and others who could take-on the issue on a watershed scale. Additionally, noxious vegetation was monitored annually from 2012 to 2014 but never required control measures. More recent management efforts focused on posting appropriate aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage at access points and providing technical support and informational materials for the “Clean, Drain and Dry” campaign. In 2019, the Brazos River Authority (BRA) funded a cooperative effort to build and deploy fish attracting structures near Limestone Lake Park on the lower end of the reservoir. Management efforts from 2020-2021 include aquatic vegetation, boater access, electrofishing, winter trap netting, spring trap netting and gill netting surveys.

Fish Community

• Prey Species: All major forage species were collected below their historical average with the exception of Gizzard Shad. Seventy-eight percent of Gizzard Shad were a suitable size for predators.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish catch rates were above the historical average while Channel Catfish catch rates were below. Legal-length fish of both species maintained good to excellent mean relative weight. Flathead Catfish were collected in low numbers.
• White Bass: White Bass catch rates were above the historical average and numbers of legal-length fish in the population improved substantially from previous surveys. Mean relative weight remained good to excellent.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were collected in higher numbers than the previous two surveys and the catch rate and proportion of legal-length fish also improved. Mean relative weight ranged from good to excellent and Florida Largemouth Bass influence increased from 26% to 31%.
• Crappies: White Crappie catch rates were among the highest on record, mean relative weight was excellent, and a good proportion of legal-

Management Strategies

The sport fishes in Limestone Reservoir will continue to be managed with statewide regulations. We will continue to maintain AIS efforts. Access, vegetation, and electrofishing surveys will be conducted in summer and fall 2024 and trap netting and gill netting surveys will be conducted in 2025. We will also coordinate with the BRA on a habitat project pending future funding and reservoir priorities.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program