Greenbelt Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report

Prepared by Caleb Huber and John Clayton
Inland Fisheries Division – Amarillo District

This is the authors' summary from a 37-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Greenbelt Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing and trap netting.  Gill nets were planned in 2020 but were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Gill net data from 2019 is included in lieu of the missing 2020 data.  Anglers were surveyed from April 2017 through June 2017 with a creel survey.  Historical data are presented with the 2019 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

Greenbelt Reservoir is a 1,990-acre impoundment located on the Salt Fork of the Red River five miles north of Clarendon in Donley County, Texas. It is controlled by the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority, used for water supply and recreational purposes and has a history of significant water level fluctuations.  The reservoir covered 666 acres in 2019.  Angler access was good, but boat access is limited to one low-water ramp.  At the time of sampling, the habitat was primarily natural and gravel shoreline with some standing timber.  Eurasion watermilfoil is present in the waterbody but to date has not negatively affected boating or angler access.

Management History

Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, White Crappie, and catfish.  Harvest of most species has been managed with statewide limits. An experimental 18-inch minimum length limit, three-fish bag limit was implemented on Smallmouth Bass in 1994 with no documented success. The special regulation was rescinded in 2001.

Fish Community

• Prey species:  Gizzard Shad and Bluegill were present in Greenbelt Reservoir.  Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad had decreased but most fish were available as prey to sport fish.  Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was high and continued to be dominated by small fish.    
• Catfishes:  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Channel Catfish were not sampled in 2020. Data from 2019 indicates that populations were increasing.  Angler creel survey data suggested that anglers were actively targeting and harvesting fish.  Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir but catch rates and angler effort were low.
• Temperate basses:  White Bass were not sampled in 2020 but were present in the reservoir.  Gill net data from 2019 indicated that the population was increasing.  Directed angler effort was low for White Bass but harvest rates were high.  
• Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth Bass were moderately abundant, and the size structure was increasing.   Nearly 33% of anglers at Greenbelt Reservoir fished for Largemouth Bass and catch and release angling was popular.  Genetic sampling indicated a strong prevalence of Florida Largemouth Bass influence. 
• White Crappie:  There was a modest population of White Crappie with few legal fish available.  Approximately 24% of the angler effort was directed toward crappie.
• Walleye:  Walleye abundance was low but there were harvestable fish available.  There were no documented Walleye anglers in 2017.    

Management Strategies

• Continue stocking Smallmouth Bass and Walleye to reestablish those populations.
• Continue to monitor Eurasion watermilfoil and educate the public about the dangers of aquatic invasive species. 
• Conduct additional electrofishing and gill netting surveys in 2021-2022, and general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2023-2024. 
• Access, habitat, and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2023.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-6 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program