Twin Buttes Reservoir - 2015 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 26-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 2015 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2016 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2015-2016 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 hypereutrophic reservoir experiences dramatic water level fluctuations, and has extensive fish habitat mostly in the form of flooded terrestrial vegetation. Boating access was poor due to low water levels.

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: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was adequate, and 87% of Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was higher than previous surveys.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish continued to portray a low density population. Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir. No Blue Catfish were collected, but have been present historically.
• Temperate basses: White Bass catch rates were low and similar to previous surveys with fish ranging from 9 to 14 inches.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass are present in the reservoir at low density. Few legal-size fish were available to anglers, but fish up to 21 inches were observed.
• White crappie: White Crappie were abundant, but few legal-size fish available to anglers.

Management Strategies

• Continue to manage under statewide harvest regulations.
• Conduct additional electrofishing and trap net surveys in 2017 and low-frequency electrofishing surveys in 2018.
• Conduct additional hoop netting in spring 2018 and 2020.
• Conduct required monitoring in 2019-2020.
• Conduct a creel survey in 2019-2020.

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