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Lake Travis 2018 Survey Report media download(PDF 1 MB)

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Lake Travis - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Mukhtar Farooqi and Marcos J. De Jesus
Inland Fisheries Division - San Marcos-Austin District

This is the authors' summary from a 37-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Travis Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing and in 2019 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from September 2017 through August 2018 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2019 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

Travis Reservoir is an 18,622-acre impoundment of the Colorado River located in Travis and Burnet Counties, approximately 12 miles northwest of Austin, Texas. It was constructed in 1942 by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for purposes of flood control, municipal and industrial water supplies, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. Travis Reservoir has a shoreline development index of 18.3. The basin is steep-sided with relatively few shallow coves and shoal areas. This reservoir experiences extreme water level fluctuations and lies within the Edwards Plateau ecological area. Land use is predominantly ranching in the upper reservoir, with residential properties common in the lower reservoir. Significant stands of aquatic vegetation have never been documented in the reservoir. In June 2017, zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha were discovered in the reservoir, and since have established a sustained population.

Management History

The sport fish composition includes White Bass, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, crappies, and catfishes. Florida Largemouth Bass were originally stocked in the reservoir in the late 1980’s to increase Florida Largemouth Bass genetic influence in the population. Blue and Channel Catfish were stocked in the 1970’s to help establish a sustainable population. Striped Bass have often been stocked since 1973. The lake is managed under statewide regulations.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

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



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