Waco Reservoir - 2023 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division – Waco District

This is the authors' summary from a 38-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Waco Reservoir were surveyed in spring 2022 using gill netting, fall 2023 using electrofishing, winter 2024 using trap netting and spring 2024 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2022-2024 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

Waco Reservoir is an 8,465-acre impoundment of the North, Middle, and South Bosque Rivers within the Brazos River Basin, McLennan County. Water level nearly reached a historic low of 450.34 above mean sea level on October 24, 2023. Habitat features consisted of natural, rock and gravel shorelines, and limited flooded timber, boat docks and piers. Bank and boat access to the reservoir is good.

Management History

Important sport fish include catfishes, hybrid striped bass (HSB), White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. Sport fish have always been managed with statewide regulations, with the exception of Blue Catfish which were regulated with a 30 to 45-inch slot limit from 2009 to 2021. The statewide regulation for Blue and Channel Catfish changed on September 1, 2021; the current regulations are in this report. Zebra mussels were found at a single location on the lake in 2014, and management efforts have largely concentrated on AIS since that time. Lake Waco was delisted from infested to undetected/negative status in 2020, yet zebra mussel monitoring efforts continue today. The statewide evaluation of palmetto bass vs sunshine bass fingerling performance is incomplete, yet palmetto bass were not stocked in 2020, 2021 or 2022. Native vegetation plantings were discontinued in 2020 due to interim drought, flooding, and inconsistent water levels. Instead, management efforts have focused on building freshwater reefs in appropriate areas, consisting of artificial habitat like Georgia structures, PVC cubes and commercially available Mossback structures. Nearly 75 artificial structures have been placed in Waco since 2021. Recent management efforts consist of zebra mussel eDNA monitoring, vegetation surveys, aquatic invasive species (AIS) education, habitat enhancement efforts and monitoring the HSB fishery.

Fish Community

A gill net survey was not conducted in spring 2020 due to the Covid 19 outbreak and associated state shelter-in-place orders.  Spring 2018 gill net data are the most recent data available for these species.

• Prey species: Collected prey species included Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, Longear Sunfish, and Redear Sunfish. Catch rates for both shad species were above historical averages. Most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to sport fish. Sunfish species were collected below historical averages.
• Catfishes:  The Blue Catfish population was strong with excellent recruitment and body condition while the Channel Catfish population structure was depressed from the previous survey. Channels still had good to excellent body condition.       
• Temperate Bass:  Both species were present in the reservoir in good numbers. Body condition for Whites was good, while HSB condition was only fair.   
• Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth Bass were collected by electrofishing at 157.0/h which was below the historical average and well short of the previous survey.  Body condition was fair to good across length classes.  Florida Largemouth Bass influence increased to 62%. 
• Black Bass: Collected black bass included Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass. Largemouth Bass were collected well below their historical average, but poor sampling conditions are likely to blame for the low catch rates. Body condition was good to excellent for Largemouth Bass, and Florida Bass genetic influence remains good at 60%. All individuals identified as Spotted Bass were found to be Spotted x Guadalupe Bass hybrids.
• Crappie:  Collected crappies included White Crappie and Black Crappie. White Crappie were not abundant, but collected individuals had excellent body condition.  Black Crappie were collected in very low numbers. 

Management Strategies

• Continue managing sport fishes at Waco Reservoir with current regulations.
• Continue bi-annual zebra mussel monitoring in partnership with Texas State University.
• Conduct an electrofishing survey in fall 2025, angler access, vegetation, and electrofishing surveys in late-summer and fall 2027, and trap netting and gill netting surveys in 2028.
• Continue stocking HSB at 15 fish/acre, request Lonestar Bass and sunfishes, perform additional habitat enhancements in cooperation with interested partners, and continue working to inform the public about the negative impacts of AIS.

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