Millers Creek Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division – Wichita Falls 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 Millers Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2017-2019 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, and trap netting. Historical data are presented with the 2017-2020 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

Millers Creek is a 1,794-acre impoundment located in Baylor County on Millers Creek in the Brazos River Basin approximately 77 miles southwest of Wichita Falls, Texas. The reservoir was completed in 1974 and is owned and operated by the North Central Texas Municipal Water Authority in Munday, Texas. The shoreline habitat consists of natural and rocky shoreline. Shoreline and boat access are adequate.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish. The management plan from the 2016 survey report included ceasing the stocking of Palmetto Bass because of lack of fishing pressure targeting them. Florida Largemouth Bass were last stocked in 2016 in response to the reservoir refilling after a severe drought.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was very high, and most of the shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was above the historical average, but all were 6-inches long or less.  
• Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population was surveyed using low-frequency electrofishing for the first time and found an abundant population with many sub-legal length fish soon to recruit into the fishery. There was also many legal-length Blue Catfish available to anglers. Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir, but the populations were not examined because of the coronavirus pandemic and concerns for workers safety.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Palmetto Bass were present in the reservoir, but the population was not surveyed because of the coronavirus pandemic and concerns for workers safety.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance was at the historical average catch rate for the reservoir. Good numbers of legal-length bass were sampled with good body condition.
• White Crappie: The White Crappie abundance estimate was near the historical average with legal-size fish available to anglers. Body condition was considered excellent.

Management Strategies

• Collect data on trophy-sized Largemouth Bass from volunteer reporting program and a 2021 spring Largemouth Bass only electrofishing survey.
• Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct general monitoring low-frequency electrofishing, electrofishing, and trap net survey in 2023.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2023.

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