New Ballinger Reservoir 2020 Survey Report (PDF 423.8 KB)
If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document, contact the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division for assistance.
New Ballinger Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report
Prepared by Lynn Wright
Inland Fisheries Division
San Angelo District
This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in New Ballinger Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing, trap netting and in 2021 tandem hoop netting. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2021 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
New Ballinger Reservoir is a 591-acre impoundment located on Valley Creek in the Colorado River basin in Runnels County, Texas. It was constructed in 1984 for municipal water supply and recreation. The reservoir has a history of extreme water level fluctuations. The reservoir nearly dried up and refilled three times in the past 20 years. Water levels increased significantly in spring 2016 and the reservoir returned to full pool. Shoreline access is good at the city-maintained park, and habitat is predominantly flooded terrestrial and submerged vegetation. Watershed land use is primarily ranching.
Management History
Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, Channel Catfish, and Blue Catfish. Following construction in 1984, the reservoir was initially stocked with Threadfin Shad, Coppernose Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Palmetto Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Florida Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. Periods of drying and refilling were followed up with stockings of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, White Crappie, Channel Catfish, Walleye, and Gizzard Shad. Sport fish harvest has been managed with statewide regulations.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad has declined in recent surveys while Bluegill relative abundance has increased. Only 61% of Gizzard Shad were available to most predators in 2020. Most Bluegill were 4 inches long with few over 6 inches.
- Channel Catfish: The Channel Catfish relative abundance has increased in recent surveys, with significant improvements in the availability of harvestable size fish.
- White Bass: White Bass are present in the reservoir but remain low in relative abundance and were not specifically targeted during sampling in 2020-2021. A lake record 2.6 lbs. White Bass was caught in spring 2018.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance has increased over last three survey and catch rates were near the historical average in 2020. Largemouth Bass had good growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.0 years). Condition was good for most inch groups indicating adequate forage. Pure Florida Bass comprised 10% of the Largemouth Bass population.
- White Crappie: White Crappie relative abundance was high due to a strong year-class in 2020; however, most crappie were below the minimum length limit with few fish available for harvest.
Management Strategies
- Continue to manage harvest with statewide regulations.
- Monitor the fish community with electrofishing in fall 2022 and 2024, trap netting in fall 2024, and tandem hoop netting in spring 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