Meredith Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report

Prepared by Charles Munger and John Clayton
Inland Fisheries Division - Amarillo District

This is the authors' summary from an 18-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish Populations in Meredith Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using trap netting and in 2015 using gill netting. Historical data are also 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

Meredith Reservoir is an impoundment on the Canadian River 35 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas. It was built in 1965 to provide municipal and industrial water. It experiences substantial water level fluctuations and covered approximately 1,718 acres during 2014-2015, down from an average 3,264 acres in 2010-2011. A record low of 26.14 feet ft maximum water depth (2,839.14 MSL) was documented on 8 July 2013. The first documented golden alga kill occurred 20 December, 2010 into March, 2011. An additional golden alga kill occurred in spring 2012. Angler and boat access was adequate but only one boat ramp was usable in 2012 due to low water. There were two handicap accessible fishing piers. Habitat was primarily silt and rock, with some non-native macrophytes.

Management History

Important sport fish have included Walleye, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish. Walleye were managed with a two fish under 16 inches regulation to improve angler catch rates and size of fish caught. Smallmouth Bass were placed under a 12-15 inch slot limit in 1992 in an effort to increase the number of larger fish. Largemouth Bass, crappie, and catfish have been managed under statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: No Gizzard Shad have been collected in surveys in the past five years. Only one Bluegill was collected in the trap net survey in 2014.
• Catfishes: The only game species found in the reservoir in the past three surveys was Channel Catfish. The population appears to be recovering.

Management Strategies

• Continue monitoring of sport fish populations to determine impact of low water levels and increased chlorides due to drought conditions, and monitor golden alga blooms.
• Conduct gill net surveys in 2017 and 2019, a trap net survey in 2016 and electrofishing in 2016 and 2018.
• Conduct a habitat survey in 2018 and recommend stocking when conditions improve.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program