Limestone Reservoir 2012 Survey Report (PDF 1.1 MB)
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Limestone Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report
Prepared by John E. Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B,
Waco, Texas
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 Limestone Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 using electrofishing and in 2013 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 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
Limestone Reservoir is a 13,680-acre reservoir within the Navasota River system in Limestone, Robertson, and Leon Counties, Texas. Bank fishing is limited to a few day-use areas. Boat access remains adequate and handicap facilities remain poor. Habitat features consisted mainly of natural shoreline and bulk head.
Management History
Important sport fish include Blue and Channel Catfish, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and White Crappie. The management plan from the 2008 survey report included annual monitoring of noxious vegetation, a 2012 to 2013 creel survey, educating angler groups and reservoir stakeholders on habitat loss, working with the Brazos River Authority (BRA) to determine the legality of habitat additions and placement within the reservoir, tracking the loss of shoreline habitat with a physical habitat survey every four years, and obtaining information on passive gears and their effects on the catfish fisheries via the 2012-2013 creel survey.
Fish Community
- Prey species: Forage species included Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, Redear and Longear. Both shad species were collected above historical averages, but all sunfish species were collected below historical averages.
- Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were collected in record numbers and all individuals were in good to excellent condition. Two Flathead Catfish were sampled.
- White bass: White Bass were collected at rates just below their historical average and body condition was excellent.
- Black basses: The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rate was well below the historical average and lower than the previous two surveys. Body condition for most size classes was excellent.
- Crappie: Crappie were not sampled with trap netting due to low water levels in December 2012, however Black and White Crappie were collected in low numbers with gill netting.
Management Strategies
Continue managing Limestone Reservoir with statewide regulations. Conduct standard monitoring with electrofisher and trap netting in 2016 and gill netting in 2017. Continue monitoring noxious aquatic vegetation annually.
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