Mackenzie Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by John Clayton and Charles Munger
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-A, Canyon, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Mackenzie Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 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, eutrophic 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 3009.6 FMSL and a surface area of approximately 179 acres. Habitat consisted primarily of natural featureless shoreline and rock bluff.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, Palmetto Bass, White Bass, White Crappie, and Catfish. All species have been managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad and Bluegill were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch rates for Gizzard Shad and Bluegill have declined greatly since 2008. Only 14% of the sampled Gizzard Shad were small enough to be available as prey to sport fish, and all Bluegill sampled were six inches in length and smaller, also available to most predators.
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish gill net catch rate showed a decrease from 2009 while the Channel Catfish gill net catch rate doubled.
• Temperate basses: White Bass gill net catch rate increased from 2009 to 2011, but declined to historic levels in 2013. Past creel surveys indicated that White Bass in the reservoir received little angling effort. Gill net catch rates for Palmetto Bass have decreased over the past four years.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass abundance has declined since 2008, and the majority of fish sampled were below the legal length limit (14 in).
• Crappie: White Crappie were present in the reservoir. Trap net catch rates for 2012 were similar to 2008. However, no legal sized crappie was sampled in 2012.

Management Strategies

• Stock Palmetto Bass at 5-10 fish/acre annually if lake level increases.
• Continue management under current harvest regulations.
• The proposed sampling schedule is a continuation of the current schedule with the addition of electrofishing and trap netting in 2014 and gill netting in 2015. Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in 2016.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program