Proctor Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by Mukhtar Farooqi and Spencer Dumont
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-B, Abilene, Texas

This is the authors' summary from an 18-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Proctor Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using electrofishing and trap nets, and in 2007 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

Proctor Reservoir is a 4,610-acre flood-control reservoir constructed on the Leon River 10 miles north of Comanche, Texas. It has a history of significant water level fluctuations. The reservoir filled in spring of 2001 after dropping to 20 ft. below conservation level from 1998 to fall 2000. It was 5 ft. below conservation level during sampling in 2006. Habitat features at the time of sampling consisted primarily of nondescript shoreline and rocky areas. Angler and boat access was excellent.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, palmetto bass, white crappie, white bass, and channel catfish. Palmetto bass have been stocked almost every year since 1978 to maintain the population. Drought conditions during the period between 1999 and early 2001 combined with reduced stocking rates between 1999 and 2000 (with no stocking in 2001) negatively impacted the abundance of palmetto bass. As water level increased, palmetto bass stocking resumed at a rate of 15/acre. The drought also adversely impacted the largemouth bass population. To help remedy this, Florida-strain largemouth bass were stocked in 2001, and a 16-inch minimum length limit was implemented in 2002.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was good and a high proportion (98%) was available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of bluegill was adequate and size structure had improved since 2002.
• Catfishes: The catch rate for channel catfish had improved as had population size structure, resulting in more harvestable-size fish being available to anglers. Fish up to 21 inches in length were recorded. Blue catfish were present in very low numbers.
• Temperate basses: White bass and palmetto bass catch rate, size structure, and proportion of fish over harvestable-size were excellent. This should provide some exceptional fishing opportunities for anglers.
• Largemouth bass: Size structure was adequate and abundance of stock-size fish had improved since 2002, as had the proportion of harvestable-size fish (i.e., ≥16 inches in length). These improvements have occurred since the introduction of the 16-inch minimum length limit in 2002.
• Crappie: Abundance and size structure of white crappie were excellent; 81% of the sample consisted of legal-size fish, which should translate to some exceptional angling opportunities. Black crappie were present in low numbers.

Management Strategies

• Based on current data, this reservoir should continue to be managed with existing regulations.
• Continue stocking palmetto bass to maintain the population and evaluate with gill nets.
• Continue bi-annual electrofishing surveys to evaluate the 16-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass.
• A mandatory standard survey is scheduled to be carried out in 2010-2011 with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing gear to assess important fish populations.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program