Brady Creek Reservoir - 2014 Survey Report
Prepared by Mandy K. Scott
Inland Fisheries Division - San Angelo 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 Brady Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2014 using electrofishing and in 2015 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2014-2015 data for comparison. This report summarizes survey results and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Brady Creek Reservoir is a 2,021-acre impoundment on Brady Creek located in the Colorado River basin. It was constructed in 1963 to provide water for municipal, recreational, and flood control purposes. From 2000 to 2015, water level ranged from 2 to 16 below conservation pool elevation. Boat and angler access is adequate, however launching larger boats becomes restricted at water levels <1,733 feet above mean sea level (10 feet below conservation pool). Primary habitat was submersed aquatic vegetation and limited areas of standing timber. In winter 2012, the reservoir was impacted by its first toxic golden alga bloom that severely impacted fish populations.
Important sport fishes have included Largemouth Bass, White Bass, White Crappie, and Blue and Channel Catfishes. Florida Largemouth Bass were introduced in 1982 and were stocked again in 2007 to improve trophy potential of the bass fishery. Smallmouth Bass were stocked in 1984 and 1986, but neither a self-sustaining population nor a fishery developed. Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass were stocked in 2013 in an attempt to help these populations recover from the golden alga fish kill. Angler harvest of sportfishes has been managed under statewide length and daily bag limits. The City of Brady used grants from TPWD to repair boat ramps and make improvements to the city park adjacent to the reservoir in 2010-2011. Management of the reservoir was transferred from the San Antonio district office to the San Angelo district office in 2011.
- Prey species: Abundance of shad and sunfish decreased dramatically due to fish kills associated with toxic golden alga blooms.
- Game species: Abundance of Largemouth Bass, White Bass, White Crappie, and catfish decreased dramatically due to fish kills associated with toxic golden alga blooms.
Monitor water quality and status of golden alga quarterly. When water quality improves and golden alga has subsided, re-establish game and prey fish populations through hatchery and management stockings. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species. Conduct electrofishing survey in 2018 and additional sampling if water conditions improve before then. Access and vegetation surveys will be conducted in 2018/2019.
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