Mackenzie Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report

Prepared by John Clayton and Charles Munger
Inland Fisheries Division
Amarillo District

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 2016 using electrofishing 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

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 3027 FMSL and a surface area of approximately 295 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 have increased greatly since 2012; however only 27% of the sampled Gizzard Shad were small enough to be available as prey to sport fish. The majority of Bluegill sampled were five inches in length or smaller and available to most predators.
• Catfishes: While Blue Catfish are present in the reservoir, Channel Catfish remain the dominant catfish species. The majority of Channel Catfish collected during the gill net sample were between 12 and 20 inches.
• Temperate basses: While White Bass are present in the reservoir, past creel surveys indicated that they received no angling effort. Gill net catch rates for Palmetto Bass have fluctuated over the past four years.
• Largemouth bass: LLargemouth Bass abundance has declined since 2014, and the majority of fish sampled were below the legal length limit (14 inches).
• Crappie: White Crappie were present in the reservoir. A total of 58 Crappie were observed during the fall electrofishing and spring gill netting surveys.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Palmetto Bass at 5 fish/acre annually, as long as the reservoir remains above 200 surface acres.
• Continue management under current harvest regulations.
• The proposed sampling schedule includes baited hoop netting and electrofishing in 2018 and 2020 and gill netting in 2021. Access, habitat, and creel surveys will be conducted in 2020.

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