Mexia Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division – Waco District

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Mexia Reservoir were surveyed during winter 2019 with trap nets and during spring 2020 with gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2019-2020 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

Mexia Reservoir is a 1,009-acre impoundment located on the Navasota River within the Brazos River Basin, Limestone County. Mexia Reservoir’s water level has been within 6 feet of conservation pool (448.3 feet above mean sea level) since 2016 and was within two feet of conservation pool during the 2019-2020 surveys. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline, rocky shoreline, bulkhead, boat docks and piers.

Management History

Important sport fish include Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish and White Crappie. Sport fish have always been managed with statewide regulations. Blue Catfish were stocked in 1975, 1995, 1996 and 2008 to establish a population. Recruitment was first observed in 2012, yet the population remained a low density one until 2020, when record numbers of the species were collected. A complete shoreline habitat survey was conducted in 2011 and no major changes have occurred on the reservoir since that time. In 2012, information about the reservoir’s loss of volume was shared with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD’s) habitat branch and others who might take on the issue on a watershed scale. No work has been done on this issue since that time. Electrofishing was discontinued in 2016 due to poor Largemouth Bass catch rates and anecdotal information suggesting the species was rarely sought by anglers on Mexia Reservoir. Data are currently collected on all sport fish and important prey species during trap net and gill net surveys. Recent management efforts include maintaining aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage and educating constituents about the threat of AIS, especially zebra mussels, whenever possible.

Fish Community

• Prey species:  The forage base was dominated by Gizzard Shad.  Threadfin Shad and sunfishes were not observed.
• Catfishes:  Channel Catfish remain one of the most important sport fish in the reservoir and their catch rate was near the historical average.  Blue Catfish were collected in record numbers.  Both populations were dominated by legal-sized individuals and body condition for both species was good overall. 
• White Crappie:  White Crappie were abundant, but their catch rate was below the historical average.  Body condition remained high. 

Management Strategies

Continue managing sport fishes with statewide regulations. Inform the public about the negative impacts of AIS and maintain appropriate signage at the single access point. Conduct angler access, vegetation and trap net surveys in 2023 and a gill net survey in 2024.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program