Champion Creek Reservoir - 2006 Survey Report

Prepared by C. Craig Bonds and Mandy K. Scott
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-C, San Angelo, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 20-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Champion Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2006 using electrofisher and trap nets, and in 2007 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Champion Creek Reservoir is a 1,560-acre impoundment at conservation pool (2,083 feet above MSL) and located 7 miles south of Colorado City in Mitchell County, Texas, in the Colorado River drainage basin. The reservoir is used for auxiliary water supply for the Texas Utilities (TXU) generation plant on Colorado City Reservoir, municipal water supply for Colorado City, and for recreation. The water level declined >50 feet from 1995 to 2003. The reservoir’s water level has increased (>15 feet) since 2003 and surface acreage totaled 520 in May 2007. Habitat features consisted of rocks, nondescript shoreline, and flooded saltcedar. Access to the reservoir was restricted by a locked entrance gate. Gate keys could be procured by contacting the Colorado City municipal office. No boat ramps were usable, but boats could be launched off the shoreline.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, white crappie, and catfishes. The management plan from the 2002 survey report recommended waiting until the reservoir caught enough water to allow boat access before conducting evaluations of fish populations. A variety of fish species have been stocked in the reservoir including threadfin shad, channel catfish, and largemouth bass.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was moderately high, and approximately two thirds were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of bluegill was low, and most were less than 6 inches.
• Catfishes: Channel catfish were stocked in the reservoir intermittently from 1967 to 1987 and again in 2005. Channel catfish were moderately abundant and exhibited a broad size structure. Flathead catfish were present in the reservoir.
• White bass: White bass were low in abundance.
• Largemouth bass: Florida largemouth bass were stocked in the 1980s and 1990s. An additional stocking was made in 2005 to take advantage of rising water levels and increased habitat. Largemouth bass were moderately abundant. Size structure continued to be poor with few fish present over 14 inches. Body condition and growth of largemouth bass was adequate.
• White crappie: Abundance, size distribution, growth, and body condition of white crappie were good.

Management Strategies

• The reservoir should continue to be managed with statewide regulations.
• Conduct electrofishing surveys in 2008 and 2010.
• Conduct habitat, access, and trap netting surveys in 2010.
• Conduct gill netting survey in 2011.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-32 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program