Mackenzie Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

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

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 Mackenzie Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 and 2020 using electrofishing, in 2017 and 2021 using gill netting, and in 2020 using tandem hoop netting. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2021 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 3014 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 2020 for Gizzard Shad was similar to 2018 but much lower than 2016; however, a much greater percentage of the Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was higher, and all Bluegill sampled were ≤ 6-inches in length.
• Catfishes: While Blue Catfish were 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 26 inches.
• 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; however, most of the fish sampled have been greater than the 18-inch minimum length.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance was fair and has remained steady since 2016, and most fish sampled were below the legal length limit (14 in).
• White Crappie: White Crappie were present in the reservoir. A total of 67 crappie were observed during the fall electrofishing and spring gill netting surveys.

Management Strategies

• Stock Hybrid Striped Bass at 10 fish/acre annually, as long as lake remains above 200 surface acres.
• Continue management under current harvest regulations.
• The proposed sampling schedule is a continuation of the current schedule using electrofishing in 2022 and 2024, and gill netting in 2023 and 2025.
• Access and habitat surveys will be conducted in 2024.

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