Baylor Creek Reservoir 2019 Survey Report (PDF 512.8 KB)
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Baylor Creek Reservoir - 2019 Survey Report
Prepared by Caleb Huber and John Clayton
Inland Fisheries Division – Amarillo District
This is the authors' summary from a 13-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Baylor Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2019 using electrofishing and trap netting. Gill nets were planned in 2020 but were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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
Baylor Creek Reservoir is a 600-acre impoundment constructed in 1950 on Baylor Creek, a tributary of the Red River, located nine miles west of Childress, Texas. During the 2019 survey period the reservoir covered approximately 213 surface acres. The reservoir is owned by the City of Childress and is maintained for recreation. Water elevations are variable, and the reservoir is prone to extreme low water. Shoreline access is poor and boat access is restricted to one boat ramp. The reservoir has high conductivity levels and is subject to occasional Golden Algae kills.
Management History
Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish. The lake level increased in 2016. Prior to this increase, the lake had not been sampled since 2007. Baylor Creek Reservoir is managed under statewide regulations.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Bluegill are present in the reservoir, but sampling effectiveness was decreased due to high salinity.
- Catfishes: Gill net surveys were canceled in 2020. Data from 2017 indicates poor Channel Catfish relative abundance.
- Largemouth Bass: Effectively sampling with electrofishing equipment is difficult because of high conductivity levels. Largemouth Bass relative abundance was low, but larger fish were observed.
- Crappie: Catch rates of both White Crappie and Black Crappie were poor. There were few legal fish documented.
Management Strategies
- Monitor the waterbody for Golden Algae and inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.
- Conduct additional electrofishing and gill net surveys in 2021-22, and general monitoring surveys with trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing surveys in 2023-2024.
- All planned electrofishing surveys will be postponed if conductivity levels are above 3,500 µmhos/cm
- 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