Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael Homer Jr. and Thomas Johnson
Inland Fisheries Division – Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 44-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations were surveyed in fall 2021 and fall 2023 with electrofishing, gill netting and jug lining in spring 2022, and trap netting in fall 2023. A roving creel survey was conducted from December 1, 2021-November 30, 2022. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2024 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

Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir is a 4,246-acre impoundment constructed on Elm Creek, approximately 15 miles north of Abilene, Texas. The reservoir is located in the Brazos River Basin and is controlled by City of Abilene for municipal water supply and recreation. The reservoir is considered eutrophic. Water level substantially fluctuated from 2019 to 2024 (Figure 1). Multiple rain events from 2019-2021 increased water level to over conservation pool elevation. By spring 2024, the reservoir water level had decreased to 7 ft. below conservation pool elevation.

Management History

Important sport fish include hybrid striped bass, White Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and catfishes. White Bass are also present and are often targeted with hybrid Striped Bass. Stockings of hybrid Striped Bass were conducted annually from 2020-2024. Fish populations are managed with statewide harvest regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey Species: Gizzard Shad catch increased since 2019, and slightly over half appeared to be optimal prey size. Bluegill catch rates declined. Longear Sunfish catch was slightly higher than in 2019. Overall, relative abundance of prey species combined was lower than the 2019 survey but suitable to support existing sport fish populations.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish were sampled in gill netting surveys. However, most individuals were of sub-legal length. Channel Catfish continued to have low relative abundance in gill netting surveys. Flathead Catfish were present. Catfish harvest increased since the 2016-2017 creel, and angler effort increased towards this group.
• Temperate Basses: White Bass relative abundance fluctuated during the monitoring period, and mostly legal fish were observed in the samples. Hybrid Striped Bass were relatively abundant in the reservoir, but their catch rates fluctuated since the last survey period. Many of the legal fish were Sunshine Bass in gill netting surveys. Sunshine Bass aged at legal length had a mean age of 3.2 years old. Anglers reported releasing more legal White Bass and fewer legal hybrid striped bass.  
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance fluctuated in electrofishing surveys but catch rates of legal fish increased substantially. Body conditions were optimal. Mean age at legal length was 2.6 years old. Angling for Largemouth Bass was the most popular among anglers, and anglers reported releasing 96% of legal Largemouth Bass.
• White Crappie: White Crappie catch rate in trap net surveys fluctuated over the survey period. Crappie production appeared correlated with water level fluctuations. More legal length fish were observed in the 2023 trap netting survey compared to prior surveys. White Crappie angling effort decreased in the 2021-2022 creel survey. Anglers reported releasing slightly more legal fish.

Management Strategies

Continue to stock hybrid Striped Bass. Work with City of Abilene to improve angler access. Continue trap netting in fall 2025 and 2027 to monitor trends of White Crappie relative abundance. Biennial electrofishing will be conducted in fall 2025 and fall 2027. Gill netting will be conducted during spring 2028, and habitat and vegetation surveys will be conducted during summer 2027. Educate public about invasive species threats.

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