Twin Buttes Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn D. Wright and Blake Thornton
Inland Fisheries Division – San Angelo District

This is the authors' summary from a 40-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Twin Buttes Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 and 2023 using electrofishing and trap netting, in 2023 using low-frequency electrofishing, and in 2024 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2021-2024 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

Twin Buttes Reservoir is a 9,080-acre impoundment located 3 miles southwest of San Angelo, Texas in Tom Green County. The reservoir consists of two pools (“North Pool” and “South Pool”) connected by an equalization channel. This eutrophic reservoir experiences dramatic water level fluctuations and has extensive fish habitat mostly in the form of flooded terrestrial vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfishes. Sport fishes have been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was moderate, and less than 40% of Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high, but very few Bluegill were over 6-inches long.  
• Catfishes: The Channel Catfish population was moderately abundant, and fish were available to anglers for harvest up to 28 inches. The Blue Catfish population exhibited low abundance but had large individuals available to anglers up to 39 inches. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir. Catfishes were the second most targeted group by anglers.
• Temperate basses: White Bass were present in the reservoir in moderate abundance and fish were available to anglers for harvest up to 17 inches.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were low to moderately abundant. Legal-size fish were available to anglers up to 23 inches. Largemouth Bass had average growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.9 years). Nearly 40% of all anglers at Twin Buttes Reservoir fished for Largemouth Bass.
• White Crappie: White Crappie abundance was moderate with legal-size fish available to anglers for harvest up to 14 inches. Most crappie reached legal size in 2.4 years. White Crappie were a popular sport fish and the third most targeted species by anglers.

Management Strategies

• Conduct additional electrofishing and trap netting surveys in 2025, and general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing in 2027-2028.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2027.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program