Proctor Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Natalie Goldstrohm and Michael D. Homer Jr.
Inland Fisheries Division - Abilene District

This is the authors' summary from a 34-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Proctor Reservoir were surveyed in 2016 and 2018 using electrofishing and trap netting, and in 2017 and 2019 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2019 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

Proctor Reservoir is a 4,615-acre impoundment constructed in 1963 on the Leon River and is located 10 miles north of the City of Comanche. Proctor Reservoir is controlled by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Primary water uses include flood control, water supply, and recreation. Recent water level has remained near conservation pool (CP) with average annual fluctuations between 5-10 feet below CP. The reservoir has a history of large water level fluctuations. Water level has gone over CP several times during the last ten years with the most recent time being in June 2019. Since the water level has fluctuated over time, aquatic vegetation was limited and was not observed in the reservoir. After the water level rise, habitat features included flooded terrestrial vegetation, rocks, and standing timber. An artificial habitat project was completed in summer 2016 by using Mossback, Fishiding, and American Fish Tree structures. Ample bank fishing access was in the park areas, and handicap-accessible fishing piers exist.

Management History

Important sport fish included White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, crappie, and catfish. Sunshine Bass fry were stocked as part of a special study from 2014-2017. After the Sunshine Bass had poor recruitment, Palmetto Bass were stocked in 2017 and 2018. The most recent stocking of Florida Largemouth Bass was in 2019. Sport fishes have always been managed by statewide length and bag limits. In 2016, a habitat enhancement project was conducted by deploying artificial structures and brush piles with locations publicized.

Fish Community

• Prey species: The prey base was primarily comprised of Gizzard Shad and Bluegill; however, other sunfish were present. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was high and most were suitable sizes to be utilized by most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was good and provided another prey resource, but few Bluegill were greater than 6-inches long.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir. Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish catch rates were low. However, both populations contained fish of legal length.
• Temperate basses: White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass were present in the reservoir. White Bass catch rates were good, and body conditions were excellent. Hybrid Striped Bass catch rate improved since the drought and possible escapement from the reservoir during flooding. However, few fish of legal length were available for anglers. With continued stocking, catch rates will likely improve.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were present in the reservoir. The population was recovering from drought conditions and flooding during recent years. There were few legal-length fish available to anglers. Nearly 50% of Largemouth Bass sample at Proctor Reservoir was pure Florida Largemouth Bass.
• Crappie: White Crappie were more abundant than Black Crappie. White Crappie catch rates have been declining, but there were still harvestable length White Crappie available for anglers. Black Crappie continued to have low catch rates.

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Hybrid Striped Bass fingerlings at 15 fish/acre.
• Stock Blue Catfish fingerlings. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
• Conduct general monitoring of the Blue Catfish with low-frequency electrofishing once during the 2019-2023 survey period.
• Conduct general monitoring for Largemouth Bass and prey fish with electrofishing in 2020 and 2022.
• Conduct general monitoring surveys with trap nets and gill nets surveys in 2022-2023.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2022.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program