Stamford Reservoir - 2010 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 22-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Stamford Reservoir were surveyed in 2008-2011 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, gill nets, and trap nets. 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 4,264-acre impoundment located on Paint Creek in the Brazos River Basin approximately 10 miles southeast of Haskell. Water level has been within 5 feet of full pool since July 2002 including flood events in 2005, 2007, and 2010. Primary habitat features consisted of dead brush, bulrush, and cattails. There were two public boat ramps and limited bank-fishing access.

Management History

Florida largemouth bass were introduced in Stamford Reservoir in the late 1970s. Stockings of blue catfish, palmetto bass, and walleye also occurred during the 1970s. Palmetto bass and walleye stockings were largely unsuccessful so stocking programs for these species were discontinued by 1982. An additional blue catfish stocking occurred in 1991. Water level began to drop in 1993 and reached nearly 17 ft below conservation pool in 2000. When water level increased in 2001-2003, Florida largemouth bass and channel catfish were stocked.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard shad were abundant and the population size structure was suitable for sustaining sport fish populations. Relative abundance of bluegill was consistent with previous samples.
• Catfishes: Relative abundance of blue catfish and channel catfish, as measured by gill net surveys, has remained consistent in the last 10 years. Blue catfish up to 28 inches total length were sampled and many were legal-harvest length. All sampled channel catfish were legal-harvest length. Excellent catfish angling opportunities continue to exist.
• White bass: The white bass population was characterized by high abundance and excellent size structure. Mean length of white bass in the 2011 sample was nearly 14 inches with individuals up to 17 inches collected. White bass represent a traditionally underused fishery in Stamford Reservoir although the population continues to provide angling opportunities.
• Largemouth bass: Size structure of largemouth bass indicated that the population has prospered with relatively stable water level. Low relative abundance can likely be attributed to sampling limitations associated with an increased amount of flooded vegetation during the survey period.
• White crappie: The white crappie population was in excellent shape, both in terms of numbers of fish and size distribution. About 36% of sampled crappie were available to anglers for harvest.

Management Strategies

A watershed map will be developed to better understand landscape-level factors that affect water collection and water quality in Stamford Reservoir. White bass angling opportunities will be publicized to inform anglers of the quality population that has established.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-1 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program