Stamford Reservoir - 2022 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Stamford Reservoir were surveyed in fall 2022 by nighttime electrofishing and trap netting. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Stamford Reservoir is a 5,124-acre impoundment of Paint Creek, a tributary of the Clear Fork of the Brazos River Basin approximately 10 miles southeast of Haskell, TX. The reservoir is used for municipal and industrial water supply for the City of Stamford, flood control, and recreation. Carlson’s Trophic Index classification for the reservoir is 63.9 (TCEQ 2022). In fall 2018, heavy rainfall flooded the reservoir to about 5 ft. above conservation pool elevation after having been about 5 ft. low prior. By spring 2019, the water level was about 2 ft. over conservation pool and continued to fluctuate between 2 ft. over and 2 ft. below conservation pool elevation until spring 2021. Since spring 2021, the reservoir’s water level has been declining, and as of May 2023 was about 4 ft. below conservation pool habitat primarily consisted of featureless shoreline, rocks, bulrush, flooded terrestrial vegetation, and flooded timber.

Management History

Sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, and White Bass. All species have been managed with the statewide fishing regulations. Golden alga is found in the reservoir and caused the first documented toxic bloom in March 2015 which resulted in a moderate lake-wide fish kill. In 2016, Blue Catfish were stocked to restore the fishery. In 2015-2017, and in 2019, stockings of Florida Largemouth Bass fingerlings were conducted to support the fishery.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Bluegill, Longear Sunfish, and Inland Silversides were the predominant prey species. Sizes and relative abundance of prey species observed were optimal for sport fishes.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were present in the fall 2022 electrofishing survey but were not enumerated. Blue Catfish had low relative abundance in the spring 2023 low-frequency electrofishing and the sample was represented by mostly smaller fish.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catches were low in the fall 2020 and 2022 electrofishing surveys. Only 8 fish were able to be retained for age and growth; ages ranged from 2-5 years old.
• White Crappie: White Crappie catch rates fluctuated since the last monitoring cycle, but catch was higher in the most recent survey. Most fish caught in the surveys were consistently sub-stock length, indicative of adequate reproduction. Body conditions of White Crappie were optimal.

Management Strategies

• Prey species and Largemouth Bass will be sampled by standard electrofishing in fall 2024 and 2026.
• White Crappie will be monitored by trap netting during fall 2026.
• Low frequency electrofishing will be conducted during spring 2027.
• Blue Catfish fingerlings will be requested for supplemental stockings to boost recruitment.
• City of Stamford will be contacted about the deteriorating boat ramps. Golden alga samples and toxicity analyses will be conducted during the cold seasons.

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