Pat Cleburne Reservoir 2011 Survey Report (PDF 361.7 KB)
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Pat Cleburne Reservoir - 2011 Survey Report
Prepared by John Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B, Waco, Texas
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 Pat Cleburne Reservoir were surveyed in 2011 using electrofisher and trap nets and in 2012 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 a 1,568-acre impoundment within the Brazos River Basin, Johnson County. Water levels were six feet below conservation pool (733.5) during 2011 electrofisher and trap net surveys and four feet above conservation pool during 2012 gill net surveys. Fish habitat at the time of sampling was dominated by natural shoreline and rip-rap. 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 2007 survey report included conducting vegetation and physical habitat surveys in summer 2011 and publicizing the reservoir’s angling opportunities. The most recent fish stocking was advanced fingerling channel catfish in 1998.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Threadfin and gizzard shad were collected at good rates. Other forage species included bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, and green sunfish.
- Catfishes: The gill net catch of blue catfish was poor while the catch of channel catfish was excellent. Body condition was average for both species, and length classes were dominated by legal-sized fish.
- White bass: The white bass catch rate was good, although much lower than historical rates. Body condition was average for most size classes, but decreased with increasing lengths.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were collected in good numbers and body condition was generally good. Fair numbers of legal-sized fish were observed.
- White crappie: Few white crappie were collected and body condition remained good.
Management Strategies
Continue managing Pat Cleburne Reservoir with statewide regulations. Conduct general monitoring with electrofisher, trap nets, and gill nets in 2015 and 2016.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program