Pat Cleburne Reservoir - 2007 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B, Waco, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Pat Cleburne Reservoir were surveyed in 2007 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2008 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Pat Cleburne Reservoir is an 1,558-acre impoundment within the Brazos River Basin, Johnson County. Water levels were within one foot of conservation pool (733.6 above MSL) during the time of sampling. Shoreline fish habitat consisted of rocky shoreline, inundated stumps, and over hanging brush. Boat access (two ramps) on the reservoir is adequate, and there are currently no handicap-specific facilities.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, white crappie, and catfish. The management plan from the 2004 survey report included urging the city of Cleburne for necessary updates on the western-most boat ramp, and clearing the shoreline of trash and debris. No fishery strategies were included.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was good and most were available as prey to sport fish. The electrofishing catch of bluegills was also excellent, however none over 6-inches were observed.
• Catfishes: The gill net catch of blue and channel catfish was excellent in spring 2008, and body condition was average for both species. Size structure was dominated by legal sized fish.
• White bass: White bass were collected in good numbers in the spring 2008 gill net survey, and nearly 50% of the population was 12 inches in length or longer.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were collected in good numbers and body condition generally improved with increasing size. However, the population is unbalanced due to the low numbers of legal-sized fish observed.
• White crappie: Few white crappie were collected in fall 2007 trap nets, however body condition remained good.

Management Strategies

Continue managing Pat Cleburne with statewide regulations. Conduct standard monitoring with electrofisher, trap nets, and gill nets in 2011 and 2012. Also, perform a new littoral habitat survey prior to the 2012 report.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-33 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program