New Ballinger Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn Wright
Inland Fisheries Division
San Angelo 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 New Ballinger Reservoir were surveyed in 2016 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2017 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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. It nearly dried up and refilled twice in the past 9 years. Water levels increased significantly in spring 2016 and the reservoir returned to full pool. Boat and shoreline access are good, and habitat is predominantly flooded saltcedar. 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 according to statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was good and most were suitably-sized as prey. Bluegills were present, but at low abundance.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish abundance was low and similar to past surveys.
• White Bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir, but at low abundance.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance remained low and the population was comprised of small fish (<9 inches). Population abundance and size structure are expected to improve in the near future due to the substantial increase in water level in 2016 and associated positive impact to fisheries habitat.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were present, however few legal- size fish were collected. Good recruitment was evident with many fish from 3 to5 inches.

Management Strategies

Continue to monitor the fish community response to the water level increase using electrofishing and trap netting in fall 2018 and 2020, and tandem hoop netting in spring 2019 and 2021.

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