Limestone Reservoir - 2008 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John E. Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B, Waco, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 27-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Limestone Reservoir were surveyed in 2008 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2009 using gill nets. This report summarizes survey results and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Limestone Reservoir is a 13,680-acre reservoir within the Navasota River system in Limestone, Robertson, and Leon Counties, Texas. Shoreline fish habitat consisted mainly of natural shoreline and bulkheading. Bank fishing is limited to a few day-use areas on the reservoir. Boat access remains adequate yet overall handicap facilities remain poor. Further information about Limestone Reservoir and its facilities can be obtained by visiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us and navigating within the fishing link.

Management History

Important sport fish include blue catfish, channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie. The 2004 survey report included a thorough age and growth analysis of all five of these species (Tibbs and Baird 2005). Management strategies from that report included: conducting an angler creel survey in 2012 and 2013 to monitor exploitation, discontinuing Florida bass stockings, and continuing annual monitoring of noxious vegetation.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Forage species collected in fall 2008 included threadfin shad, gizzard shad, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, and warmouth in order of decreasing abundance. The 2008 catch rates were generally higher than those observed in 2004, with the exception of gizzard shad which were lower. Bluegill were collected at nearly double the 2004 rate.
• Catfishes: Blue catfish were present in excellent numbers and fair body condition; channel catfish were also present in good numbers with fair body condition. No flathead catfish were observed.
• White bass:White bass were present in good numbers and continue to offer excellent fishing opportunities.
• Black basses: Largemouth bass were present in low numbers; however population structure was basically unchanged. Current catch rates for Largemouth bass are among the lowest in the district.
• White crappie: White crappie were present in slightly depressed numbers and displayed good body condition.

Management Strategies

Continue managing Limestone Reservoir with statewide regulations. Conduct standard monitoring with electrofisher and trap nets in 2012 and gill nets in 2013. Specific management strategies should include annual vegetation surveys to monitor exotic vegetation, a creel survey in 2012, and an additional physical habitat survey prior to the 2017 report.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-34 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program