O.H. Ivie Reservoir - 2005 Survey Report

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Prepared by C. Craig Bonds and Mandy K. Scott
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-C, San Angelo, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 39-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in O. H. Ivie Reservoir were surveyed in 2005 using electrofishing and trap nets, and in 2006 using gill nets. Anglers were interviewed from June 2005 to May 2006 during a creel survey. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

O. H. Ivie Reservoir is a 19,200-acre impoundment located on the Colorado and Concho rivers in Concho, Runnels, and Coleman counties, Texas, approximately 55 miles east of San Angelo. The water level declined 26 feet from May 1998 to November 2004, and increased over 14 feet from November 2004 to April 2005. In May 2006, reservoir surface area totaled 12,100 acres. Habitat features consisted of standing timber, rocks, flooded saltcedar, native submerged aquatic plants, and hydrilla.

Management History

Important sport fish include largemouth bass, white bass, white crappie, and catfishes. The management plan from the 2001 survey report included annual electrofishing and creel surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2001 largemouth bass length limit change (from 18-inch minimum length and 5-fish bag to a 5-fish bag, 2 of which may be <18 inches) and annual aquatic vegetation surveys primarily to monitor changes in hydrilla coverage. The purpose of the largemouth bass regulation change was to increase growth rates for 14- to 18-inch fish by reducing stockpiling through increased angler harvest. A variety of fish species have been stocked in the reservoir including threadfin shad; bluegill; channel, blue and flathead catfishes; Florida largemouth bass; smallmouth bass; white crappie; and walleye. Walleye stockings were discontinued after failing to produce a fishery.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of gizzard shad was moderate, and approximately half were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of bluegills was moderate, and approximately one quarter of the adults were longer than 6 inches.
• Catfishes: Blue catfish were stocked in the reservoir in the early 1990s, but contribute little to the total catfish fishery. The channel catfish population offered a broad size range, but low abundance, resulting in moderate angling success. Flathead catfish were present in the reservoir.
• White bass: White bass were moderately abundant and the third most targeted fish by anglers. Angler effort, catch and harvest have increased in recent years.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass were abundant. Size structure was dominated by young fish (<2 years old) which benefited from water level rises in 2004 and 2005. Body condition of largemouth bass was good. The majority of anglers targeted largemouth bass, and angler catch rates were improved compared to recent years.
• Smallmouth bass: No smallmouth bass have been sampled in the past year, but anglers reported catching low numbers in recent creel surveys.
• White crappie: Abundance of catchable-size white crappie and angler catch rate has decreased over the past six years. However, crappie remained second to largemouth bass in angler directed effort.

Management Strategies

• Conduct annual creel, electrofishing, and aquatic vegetation surveys 2006-2010.
• Conduct trap net surveys in 2007 and 2009.
• Experiment with non-standard trap net surveys to increase sample size.
• Conduct gill net survey in 2010.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-30-R-31 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program