SEGUIN, Texas – The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) is coordinating an effort with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas B.A.S.S. Nation to restore fish habitat and improve fishing at the Coleto Creek Park Reservoir. Representatives from both agencies and BASS will construct artificial fish habitat and strategically place the structures in the reservoir Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8.
From 2013 to 2015, the area around the reservoir experienced a cycle of dry weather followed by scouring rains, resulting in a natural die-off of vegetation in the reservoir. “This is an effort to enhance structure and habitat for fish to take shelter, feed and reproduce which will lead to the overall goal of improved recreational fishing at Coleto Creek Park Reservoir,” said Nathan Pence, GBRA executive manager of environmental science and community affairs. “The process of using submerged structures, assembled using concrete cinder blocks, PVC piping and plastic tubing, is comparable to building artificial reefs for habitat in the Gulf. These materials will promote the complete food web for the fish, and create a safe habitat for juvenile fish to grow into maturity.”
Coleto Creek Reservoir is home to a productive and premier largemouth bass fishery. Approximately 100 Mossback and Georgia fish habitat structures will be strategically placed along the bank of the reservoir and in deep-water areas. Each location for the structures is chosen to fit the life-cycle needs of the largemouth bass, and for its accessibility to anglers. The location of the structures will be GIS-mapped and shared with the public both at the park and on the GBRA website. Anglers, both in boats and from the banks, may then locate these structures in the lake and take advantage of the enhanced fishing opportunities.
GBRA employee volunteers will help build the habitat structures and volunteers with the Coleto Bassmasters, an affiliate of Texas B.A.S.S. Nation, will assist in submerging the structures in the reservoir in a dozen locations.
TPWD is donating much of the materials for this project, along with Coleto Creek Power. TPWD is also providing technical assistance with locations and sizes of the structures.
“It’s great when all the partners come together and contribute to a project benefitting the community, the fishermen and the reservoir. This should be a template for how we all work together in the future and for others to follow,” Pence concluded.
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Editor’s Note: Reporters are welcome on boats for the placing of the structures in the water from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 8 only. Please coordinate with Patty Gonzales, GBRA communications manager, at 512-569-2200.
Patty Gonzales
Communications Manager
[email protected]