Lake Brazos - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael S. Baird and John Tibbs
Inland Fisheries Division
Waco District, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 41-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Brazos were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2021 using gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2020-2021 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

Lake Brazos is a 523-acre impoundment of the Brazos River located in downtown Waco, McLennan County, Texas. There is no water gaging station on Lake Brazos, therefore water elevation data are not available. Bank and boat access on the reservoir are good, and include handicap-accessible facilities such as walkways, picnic shelters and fishing piers. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural shoreline, limited bulkheading, piers, bridge pilings and emergent aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, catfishes, temperate basses and White Crappie. The management plan from 2008 recommended annual monitoring of giant reed and working with the City of Waco on control efforts if necessary. Giant reed was monitored annually through 2014, at which time it was determined that it was not increasing in coverage and there was little probability that it would require treatment. Management plans from 2008 and 2012 included addition of new fish habitat, and to date, over 50 bamboo crappie condos have been placed into the reservoir. More recent management efforts focused on posting appropriate aquatic invasive species (AIS) signage at access points and providing technical support and informational materials for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) “Clean, Drain and Dry” campaign. A roving creel survey was conducted from June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 to determine the extent of game fishes sought and harvested. Management efforts from 2020-2021 include aquatic vegetation, boater access, electrofishing, trap netting, and gill netting surveys.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad were collected well above their historical average catch rate while the Threadfin Shad catch rate was average. Bluegill and Longear Sunfish numbers were low. Other minor prey species like Redear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish and Green Sunfish were collected in numbers similar to historical averages.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were collected below their historical average catch rates. Mean relative weight for both species was variable. Flathead Catfish were not observed.
• Temperate Bass: The White Bass catch rate was well below the historical average while Palmetto and Striped Bass catch rates were both higher than historical averages. Mean relative weight for most temperate basses was fair to low.
• Largemouth Basses: The Largemouth Bass total catch rate was similar to the historical average and the same as the previous survey. Mean relative weight was generally fair but variable across length classes. The proportion of legal-length fish improved from previous surveys.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were collected at 2.0 fish/nn which was below their historical average catch rate. Mean relative weight was generally fair. Black Crappie have not been observed since 2011.

Management Strategies

• The sport fishes in Lake Brazos will continue to be managed with statewide regulations. We will continue to maintain AIS efforts.
• Access, vegetation, and electrofishing surveys will be conducted in summer and fall 2024 and trap netting and gill netting surveys will be conducted in spring 2025.
• Promoting the fishery and the unique opportunities it provides to urban anglers will also be a priority.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program