Lake Brazos - 2016 Survey Report

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

This is the authors' summary from a 28-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Brazos Reservoir were surveyed in 2016 using electrofishing and trap nets and in 2017 using gill nets. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 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 Reservoir 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 Reservoir, therefore water elevation data are not available. Bank and boat access on the reservoir are good, and include handicap-friendly facilities such as walkways, picnic shelters, and fishing piers. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural shoreline, limited bulkheading, piers and bridge pilings and emergent aquatic vegetation.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, catfishes, White Bass and White Crappie. Sport fish have always been managed with statewide regulations. 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 established 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. Since 2013, management efforts have focused on cooperating with the City of Waco to post appropriate invasive species signage at access points to try and prevent the spread of zebra mussels into the reservoir, and supporting the statewide PR campaign “Clean, Drain, and Dry”. Recent management efforts include full aquatic vegetation and boater access surveys conducted during summer 2016.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and Gizzard Shad were present in the reservoir in record numbers, and most Gizzard Shad were available as prey to sport fish. Other forage species included Bluegill, Longear Sunfish and Redear Sunfish.
• Catfishes: Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish were important sport fish in the reservoir, yet their catch rates were below historical averages. Condition was generally good for both species.
• Black basses: Largemouth Bass were collected in the reservoir below the historical average. Recent recruitment appeared to be excellent. Body condition was generally good.
• White crappie: White Crappie were present in the reservoir in low numbers and body condition was poor. Black Crappie were not observed in 2016.

Management Strategies

• The sport fishes of Lake Brazos Reservoir will continue to be managed with statewide regulations.
• We will continue to maintain invasive species signage and inform the public on the negative impacts of invasive species.
• Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in summer 2020, and electrofishing, trap netting and gill net surveys will be conducted in 2020 and 2021.

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