Colorado City Reservoir - 2020 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn Wright
Inland Fisheries Division
San Angelo District

This is the author's summary from a 15-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Colorado City Reservoir were surveyed in 2020 using electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2020 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

Colorado City Reservoir is a 1,618-acre reservoir located on Morgan Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River, west of Colorado City in Mitchell County, Texas. Habitat consisted primarily of flooded terrestrial vegetation, boulders, and boat docks. Colorado City Reservoir has been severely impacted by toxic golden algae (Prymnesium parvum) blooms nearly every year since 2001 with fish kills occurring regularly. Shoreline access was good at the Lake Colorado City State Park.

Management History

Historically, important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Red Drum. Following golden algae-induced fish kills, fish stockings were conducted to reestablish populations. Re-occurrence of golden alga-related toxic conditions rendered these stocking efforts unsuccessful at re-building populations. As a result, all fish stocking in this reservoir has been suspended pending sustained improvements in water quality.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad were present in very low abundance. No other prey species were collected during sampling.
• Catfishes: No catfishes were collected during sampling.
• White Bass: No White Bass were collected during sampling.
• Largemouth Bass: No Largemouth Bass were collected during sampling.
• White Crappie: No White Crappie were collected during sampling.

Management Strategies

Continue to monitor for golden algae with samples in the fall (November), winter (January), and Spring (March). Remove Colorado City Reservoir from the sampling rotation until water quality improves.

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