Leon Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Michael D. Homer Jr. and Natalie Goldstrohm
Inland Fisheries Division - Abilene Distrcit

This is the authors' summary from a 30-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Leon Reservoir were surveyed in fall 2016 with bass-only electrofishing, in 2018 by electrofishing and trap netting, and in spring 2019 by gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2015-2019 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

Leon Reservoir has a surface area of 1,756 acres, and it was constructed in 1954 by impounding the Leon River. The reservoir is in Eastland County, roughly seven miles south of the City of Eastland, and it is controlled by the Eastland County Water Supply District. Leon Reservoir is used for flood control, municipal and industrial water supply for the City of Eastland, and for recreation. Heavy rainfall in 2015 refilled and flooded the reservoir, though water level dropped five feet below conservation pool by summer 2018. Fall 2018 rainfall refilled the reservoir to full pool.

Management History

Sport fish in the reservoir include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, and White Bass. Hydrilla was first documented in the 2010 vegetation survey and was mechanically removed in one northeastern cove; additional areas containing miniscule patches of hydrilla were not treated. From 2014-2018, hydrilla was monitored annually, and it did not cause any access problems. The most recent stocking (Florida Largemouth Bass) occurred in 2019.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, and Longear Sunfish comprised most of the forage base for the predator assemblage. Redear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Warmouth were also present. Size structures and relative abundance of prey species appeared suitable to support sport fish populations.
• Catfishes: Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish were present in the reservoir. Total catch of Channel Catfish has fluctuated since 2011 but has increased overall. In 2019, the sample was dominated by legal-length fish. One Flathead Catfish was collected during the 2019 gill net survey. Channel Catfish appeared to be adequately reproducing and the population should provide good fishing opportunities.
• White bass: Since 2011, total catch and catch rates of legal White Bass have fluctuated in gill netting surveys. All fish in the 2019 sample were ≥stock-length. The population appeared to produce ample quality-length fish to be used by anglers.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass relative abundance fluctuated from 2014-2018. Catch of legal-length fish increased compared to previous surveys. Like previous surveys, most individuals captured in the surveys from 2014-2018 had suboptimal body condition (mean relative weights ≤90). Mean age at legal length in 2016 was 2.0 years and 2.7 years in 2018. Prevalence of Florida Largemouth Bass alleles have increased since 2006 which may be a result of recent stockings.
• Crappie: Both White Crappie and Black Crappie were present in the reservoir, but White Crappie have traditionally been more abundant. Total combined catch of White and Black Crappie has been low and has substantially declined since 2014. Catches of legal-length (i.e., ≥10in.) individuals were low, and rates were similar between the 2016 and 2018 surveys. The reduced catch suggested recruitment of cohorts was poor since the prior survey. Body conditions of crappie were adequate (mean relative weights >90).

Management Strategies

• Electrofishing will be conducted to monitor Largemouth Bass and prey in fall 2022.
• Trap netting will be used in fall 2022 to monitor White Crappie and Black Crappie.
• Hoop netting will be conducted during summer 2022 to monitor Channel Catfish.
• Presence/absence of White Bass will be documented in other surveys.

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