Fayette County Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Mukhtar Farooqi and Patrick Ireland
Inland Fisheries Division – San Marcos District

This is the authors' summary from a 33-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Fayette County Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 and 2019 using electrofishing and in 2019 using hoop nets. Aquatic vegetation was monitored by annual surveys. Historical data are presented with the 2019 data for comparison. This report summarizes results of the surveys and contains a fisheries management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Fayette County Reservoir is a 2,400-acre impoundment of Cedar Creek; an intermittent stream in the Colorado River watershed. It was constructed in 1978 by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for the purpose of supplying cooling water for steam-electric power generation. The reservoir is located in Fayette County, approximately seven miles east of La Grange, Texas, and lies within the Post Oak Savannah ecological area.

Water in the reservoir is maintained at a near-constant level (1-2 ft. annual fluctuation) through pumping from the Colorado River. Surrounding shoreline is mostly undeveloped. Shoreline length is approximately 20 miles. Structural habitat consisted primarily of natural shoreline and rocky shoreline.

Management History

Important sportfish include Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish species. Florida Largemouth Bass were stocked into nursery ponds during 1977 prior to reservoir filling. Largemouth Bass have been managed since 1979 with several differing length limit regulations; but currently managed under a 16- to 24-inch slot length limit with a 5-fish daily bag, only one over 24 inches may be retained.

Trap netting for White Crappie was not performed due to historically low catch rates and the high cost/benefit ratio associated with collecting these data. Crappie have not been collected with any gear type since the early 1990s. There was no directed angling effort for crappie.

A volunteer angler survey was conducted from October 2004 to May 2006 to determine catch trends and length distribution of trophy Largemouth Bass and other species.

Aquatic vegetation habitat surveys have been conducted annually to monitor invasive species and evaluate angler access conditions.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Bluegill, Gizzard Shad, and Threadfin Shad were the predominant prey species. Catch rates for Bluegill, Gizzard Shad, and Threadfin Shad had increased since the last two surveys.
• Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish abundance was very low.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance declined compared to the previous two surveys, but the population was in excellent condition and the population size structure was good.

Management Strategies

Based on current information, the reservoir should continue to be managed with existing regulations. Conduct an additional electrofishing and hoop net survey in 2021-2022, a spring and summer creel survey in 2021, and general monitoring surveys with hoop nets and electrofishing surveys in 2023-2024. Aquatic vegetation surveys should be conducted biennially to monitor invasive species.