McClellan Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 20-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in McClellan Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using tandem hoop netting and in 2021 using electrofishing. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

McClellan Reservoir is a 405-acre reservoir located 64 miles east of Amarillo, Texas, on McClellan Creek in the Red River Basin. It is controlled and operated by the United States Forest Service as part of the Black Kettle National Grassland and is used for recreational purposes. No water level data is recorded for the reservoir, but it has a history of extreme water level fluctuations. The reservoir has gone dry four times since 2000. The reservoir was completely dry in spring 2019 and filled to approximately half capacity in fall 2019. The maximum estimated water depth for the reservoir is 25 feet. Water levels have dropped drastically, and the reservoir had a maximum depth of approximately 5 feet (May 2022). Boat access consisted of two public boat ramps. Only the north ramp was accessible to anglers. The shoreline was 100% accessible to bank anglers. There were no ADA compliant facilities. Primary habitat consisted of rocks and natural shoreline with minimal flooded brush.

Management History

Important sport fish have historically included Largemouth Bass, White Crappie and Channel Catfish. McClellan Reservoir is prone to drastic water level fluctuations which severely limit management options. Sport fish were stocked in 2020-2021 following an increase in water levels, but lake levels dropped substantially following the stocking. If current drought conditions persist, it is likely that the reservoir will dry completely in the next 6-12 months. Harvest of sport fishes was managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The Bluegill catch rate was high in 2021 at 192 fish/hr. There were no Gizzard Shad collected but numerous Green Sunfish were documented.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish were documented in 2018, but no fish were surveyed in 2021.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance was 2.0/h in 2021. There is no comparative data because the reservoir dried completely in Spring 2019.
• White Crappie: No White Crappie were collected during the sampling period.

Management Strategies

• Future management actions will be heavily influenced by lake levels.
• Sport fish will be stocked following a significant rain event, and exploratory sampling will be conducted to evaluate the success of any stockings.
• Personnel will continue to partner with the controlling authority to explore options that may improve water retention.

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