Mexia Reservoir - 2011 Survey Report

Prepared by John Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B, Waco, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Mexia Reservoir were surveyed in 2011 using electrofisher and in 2012 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

Mexia Reservoir is a 1,009-acre impoundment located on the Navasota River within the Brazos River Basin, Limestone County. Water levels were three feet below conservation pool (448.3) during 2011 electrofisher surveys, and five feet above conservation pool during 2012 gill net surveys. Fish habitat at the time of sampling was dominated by natural shoreline, rocky shoreline, rip-rap, bulkhead, and boat docks. Boat access (one ramp) on the reservoir is adequate, yet there are currently no handicap-specific facilities.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, white crappie, and catfish. The management plan from the 2007 survey report included stocking and re-evaluation of the blue catfish fishery and conducting aquatic and shoreline habitat surveys in 2011. The most recent fish stocking was fingerling blue catfish in 2008.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin and gizzard shad were collected at high rates. Other forage species included bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, and green sunfish.
• Catfishes: Blue and channel catfish were collected at record rates. Body condition was good to excellent.
• White bass: White bass were collected at rates similar to their historical average. Body condition was good
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass catch rates were below the historical average. Although the size structure indicates a balanced population, few legal-sized fish were observed in the sample. Condition was variable.
• White crappie: White crappie were not surveyed with trap nets in 2011 due to low water levels, however good numbers were observed during 2012 gill net surveys.

Management Strategies

Conduct mandatory electrofisher and trap net sampling in fall 2015 and gill net sampling in spring 2016. A tier IV age and growth analysis will be conducted on crappie in the fall of 2015.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program