Mackenzie Reservoir - 2024 Survey Report

Prepared by John Clayton and Caleb Huber
Inland Fisheries Division
Amarillo District

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Mackenzie Reservoir were surveyed in 2024 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2025 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2024-2025 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

Mackenzie Reservoir was constructed in 1974 on Tule Creek, a tributary of the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. It is located 12 miles northwest of Silverton in Briscoe County, Texas. The reservoir is owned by the Mackenzie Municipal Water Authority and is used for water supply and recreational purposes. Mackenzie Reservoir is characterized as being a deep, clear, mesotrophic reservoir that experiences strong thermal stratification during summer months. At conservation pool (3,100 feet above mean sea level; FMSL) the reservoir is a 900-acre impoundment. At the time of sampling, the reservoir had a mean elevation of 3,014 FMSL and a surface area of approximately 209 acres. Habitat consisted primarily of natural featureless shoreline and rock bluff.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Largemouth Bass, hybrid striped bass, White Bass, White Crappie, and catfishes. All species have been managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad and Bluegill were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rate in 2024 for Gizzard Shad was similar to 2020 and 2018. More than half of the Gizzard Shad sampled were available to serve as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill in 2024 was slightly lower than 2020 but higher than 2018, and all Bluegill sampled were ≤ 6-inches in length.
• Catfishes: While Blue Catfish and Flathead catfish have historically been present in the reservoir, Channel Catfish remain the dominate catfish species. The majority of Channel Catfish collected during the gill net sample were between 12 and 27 inches in length.
• Temperate basses: While White Bass were present in the reservoir, past creel surveys indicated that they received no directed angling effort. Gill net catch rates for hybrid striped bass have fluctuated over the past four years. Only 2 fish were sampled in 2025; both of which were 24 inches in length.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance has increased since 2018 and 2020, but most fish sampled were below the legal length limit (14 in).
• White Crappie: White Crappie were present in the reservoir. Fish abundance appears to have improved from previous years.

Management Strategies

• Continue suspension of hybrid striped bass stocking, as long as reservoir remains below 300 surface acres.
• Continue management under current harvest regulations.
• Conduct electrofishing, and trap netting in 2028, and gill netting in 2029.
• Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in 2028.

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