Limestone Reservoir - 2016 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 2016 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2017 using gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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 13,680-acre reservoir within the Navasota River system in Limestone, Robertson, and Leon Counties, Texas. Water levels were 1.5 to 2.0 feet below conservation pool (363 feet above mean sea level) during 2016 electrofishing and trap net surveys and near conservation pool during the 2017 gill net survey. Habitat features consisted of boat docks, piers and bulk-headed shorelines, as well as a variety of emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fishes include catfishes, White Bass, Largemouth Bass and White Crappie. Sport fish have always been managed with statewide regulations. The management plan from 2012 recommended annual monitoring of noxious vegetation and implementing control measures if necessary. Noxious vegetation was monitored annually through 2014, and never required control measures. Other management efforts from 2012 included sharing information about the reservoir’s loss of volume (through erosion and sedimentation within its watershed) with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s habitat branch and others who could take on the issue on a watershed scale. Recent management efforts have focused on posting appropriate invasive species signage at access points, providing technical support and informational materials for the “Clean, Drain and Dry” campaign, educating marina owners about invasive species through verbal and written means so that they can in turn educate their customers, and keeping track of existing and future interbasin water transfers to facilitate potential invasive species responses. These efforts are described fully in the management history section of this report.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad were observed in the reservoir in record numbers and 75% were available as prey to sport fish. Threadfin Shad were present in high numbers, consistent with previous surveys. Other forage species included Bluegill, Longear Sunfish and Redear Sunfish.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish catch rates were below the historical average for the species while catch rates for Channel Catfish were at a historical high. Legal-sized individuals were abundant for both species. Body condition varied for Blue Catfish, but was generally good for Channel Catfish. Flathead Catfish are present in low numbers.
• White Bass: White Bass catch rates were just below average for the species. Legal-sized fish were less abundant than in previous surveys. Body condition was excellent for most size classes.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch rates were below average, and similar to the previous two surveys. The population was stable and body condition was very good.
• Crappies: White Crappie were collected with trap nets in 2016, and with gill nets in 2017. Black Crappie were also caught in both surveys. Catch rates were similar to recent surveys and body condition was excellent for White Crappie.

Management Strategies

The sport fishes in Limestone Reservoir will continue to be managed with statewide regulations. We will continue to maintain invasive species efforts. Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in summer 2020 and trap netting and gill netting surveys will be conducted in 2020 and 2021. We will also coordinate with the Brazos River Authority on a habitat project.

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