Kickapoo Reservoir - 2021 Survey Report

Prepared by Robert Mauk and Wes Dutter
Inland Fisheries Division
Wichita Falls District

This is the authors' summary from a 26-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Kickapoo Reservoir were surveyed in 2021 using electrofishing and trap netting. Historical data are presented with the 2021 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

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 has fluctuated five-feet from conservation pool (1,045 msl) since 2018. 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. Starting September 1, 2021 the Blue and Channel Catfish state-wide regulation changed to a 25 fish bag limit with no minimum length but only 10 fish can be 20 inches or greater in length.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was below average, and few Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most predators. Electrofishing catch rate of Bluegill was well below the previous survey. No Threadfin Shad were sampled.
• Catfishes: Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfish are present in the reservoir. Channel Catfish water body record was broken in 2021. No sampling took place for catfish.
• White Bass: White Bass are present in the reservoir. A single White Bass was captured in the trap net survey. No sampling took place for White Bass.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass catch per unit effort (CPUE) was higher than previous two surveys. Few legal-length fish were available to anglers. A pending water body record was caught in 2022. Body condition was considered good.
• White Crappie: White Crappie were moderately abundant with legal-length fish available to anglers. Body condition was considered good.

Management Strategies

• Continue conducting genetic testing when Largemouth Bass are collected during routine monitoring every four years 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 in 2023.

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