Pat Cleburne Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division – Waco District

This is the authors' summary from a 33-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Pat Cleburne were surveyed in 2023 using electrofishing, and in 2024 using trap netting and gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2023-2024 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

Lake Pat Cleburne is a 1,568-acre impoundment located on the Nolan River within the Brazos River Basin, Johnson County. Water level has been within 9.5’ feet of conservation pool (733.5 above mean sea level [MSL]) since January 2020. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline, rocky shoreline and limited boat docks and piers. There is extensive shore access for anglers.

Management History

Important sport fish include catfishes, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie.  Sport fish have always been managed with statewide regulations.  The management plan from the 2012 survey report included conducting vegetation and physical habitat surveys and publicizing the reservoir’s angling opportunities.  Structural habitat was surveyed during 2012, while full aquatic vegetation surveys have been completed every four years since.  Several fishing and angling articles have been released to local television and radio stations highlighting fishing opportunities since that time also.  The management plan from the 2016 report recommended deploying fish attractors and working with the City of Cleburne to purchase hybrid striped bass (HSB) fry from the private market.  Crappie condos and PVC cube structures were built and placed into the reservoir in 2016 and 2017 respectively.  The City of Cleburne purchased HSB fry in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) stocked HSB in 2017 and 2022.  The statewide regulation for Blue and Channel Catfish changed on September 1, 2021; the current regulations are in this report.  Recent management efforts consist of vegetation surveys, aquatic invasive species (AIS) education, limited habitat enhancement efforts and monitoring the creation of the HSB fishery.

Fish Community

• Prey species:  Collected prey species included Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, Longear Sunfish, and Redear Sunfish. Catch rates for all prey species were below historical averages. Most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to sport fish.  
• Catfishes:  Collected catfishes included Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish. Catch rates for all three species were above historical averages, and body condition was good to excellent for Blue and Channel Catfish. . 
• Temperate Basses:  Collected temperate bass included White Bass and HSB. White Bass were collected in low numbers and body condition was average. Hybrid striped bass catch rates improved from the previous survey and a low-density population currently exists.  
• Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth Bass catch rates were the lowest on record however body condition was excellent.  
• Crappie:  Collected crappies included White Crappie and Black Crappie. White Crappie catch rates were the highest on record and body condition was excellent across most length categories. Black Crappie were collected in very low numbers.

Management Strategies

Continue managing sport fishes at Lake Pat Cleburne with statewide regulations. Conduct one daytime and one nighttime electrofishing survey in fall 2025 to monitor Largemouth Bass and forage species – and to compare daytime to nighttime catch rates. Conduct a gill netting survey in spring 2026, angler access, vegetation, and electrofishing surveys in late-summer and fall 2027, and trap netting and gill netting in late winter and spring 2028. Request supplemental sport fish stockings when available, perform additional habitat enhancements when possible and continue working to inform the public about the negative impacts of AIS.

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