Kickapoo Reservoir - 2017 Survey Report

Prepared by Robert Mauk and Tom Lang
Inland Fisheries Division
Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations at Kickapoo Reservoir were surveyed in 2017 using low-frequency electrofishing, trap netting and electrofishing. Historical data are presented with the 2017 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Kickapoo Reservoir is a 6,028-acre impoundment located on the Little Wichita River in the Red River Basin approximately 30 miles west of Wichita Falls. It has a primarily natural and rocky shoreline. The reservoir elevation has been near conservation pool (1,045 msl) since 2015. Kickapoo water quality is considered good for municipal use, but is turbid from surrounding clay soils.

Management History

Important sport fish include catfishes, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. Past management plans recommended maintaining the genetic integrity of the existing pure northern strain Largemouth Bass population as a defined source for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hatchery brood stock program. The reservoir is popular for its White Crappie fishery. Kickapoo has always been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad catch rate was below the historical average for the reservoir but should provide an abundant prey base for game fish. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) for Bluegill was also below the historical average but increased over the previous survey. Historically, Bluegill have been found in low abundance. Threadfin Shad were present for the first time in low abundance.
• Catfishes: A 2017 low frequency electrofishing survey was completed targeting Blue Catfish. Many small individuals were captured but few fish above the legal length limit were observed. The lack of legal length fish is probably a result of the severe drought that ended in 2015. The abundance of small fish indicate good reproduction has occurred since the drought. Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish were also observed during the survey but were not enumerated. A new lake record Blue Catfish (68.3-pounds and 49-inches) was established in 2014.
• White Bass: White Bass are present in the reservoir but are in low abundance with little to no targeted fishing effort. Two individuals were sampled in trap nets.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass, with the exception of one survey, have never been very abundant in the reservoir. The 2017 survey was the second highest CPUE sampled but abundance is still considered low. Kickapoo Reservoir is important to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a primary source of northern strain Largemouth Bass for the hatchery system. Genetic analysis in 2017 identified presence of Florida strain genetic influence for the first time. A new lake record Largemouth Bass (5.22-pounds and 22-inches) was established in 2017.
• White Crappie: The 2017 trap net CPUE was the highest since the 2009 survey but below the historical average for the reservoir. The White Crappie were considered to exhibit good body condition.

Management Strategies

Continue conducting genetic testing every four years when Largemouth Bass are collected during routine monitoring and during brood stock collections. Monitor the White Crappie population every four years using trap nets. Monitor the Blue Catfish population using low-frequency electrofishing every eight years.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program