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Braunig Reservoir 2017 Survey Report media download(PDF 728.8 KB)

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Braunig Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Randall Myers and Mitchell Nisbet
Inland Fisheries Division
San Antonio District

This is the authors' summary from a 44-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Victor Braunig Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 using electrofishing and in 2016 and 2018 using gill netting. Historical data are presented for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Victor Braunig is a 1,298-acre reservoir located on the southeast side of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. It was built in 1964 by City Public Service Energy (CPSE) for power plant cooling, and later opened for recreation. Recreation access is controlled by Thousand Trails Management Services, Inc., and paid entry is required. Water level is maintained at or near conservation pool by pumping from the San Antonio River. In some years, aquatic plants such as bulrush, cattails, and brittle naiad occupy up to 10% of the reservoir area. Total angling effort of boat-based anglers from March through August 2017 was 42,257 hours and angler expenditures were $308,654.

Management History

Important sport fishes include Red Drum, Hybrid Striped Bass, and Channel Catfish. Stockings of Red Drum and Hybrid Striped Bass have occurred most years since the mid-1970s and are required to maintain their populations. Advanced-size Sunshine Bass (4-6 inches), purchased by CPSE, were stocked annually from 2014 to 2017. Prior to 2014, the reciprocal cross Hybrid Striped Bass, Palmetto Bass (fingerling size), were mostly stocked. Largemouth Bass were first stocked in 1976 and last stocked in 2008, and both Florida and Northern-strain fish have been stocked. Sub-adult Northern Largemouth Bass, purchased by CPSE, were stocked in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008 to support a TPWD research project evaluating the effectiveness of this stocking strategy for changing population genetics and increasing population abundance. Numerous other species were stocked historically including marine fishes, to provide additional and unique angling opportunities. All sport fish are currently managed with statewide regulations, except Red Drum which have a 20-inch minimum length limit and no maximum length limit. Various Largemouth Bass harvest regulations have been used, and the current minimum length limit of 14-inches was implemented in 2015.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program



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