In this issue:
We stock ‘em, you catch ‘em! Keeper-size catfish, a favored summer target, are now arriving at Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes. They’re fair game as soon as they hit the water. Anglers 17 and older must have a fishing license.
These "put-and-take" fisheries managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife are stocked every two to four weeks -- so there should be a good supply of fish whenever you find time to visit!
Stocking will continue through October, except during August. Note these 2015 catfish stocking dates*
- April 24
- May 8 and 22
- June 5 and 19
- July 3 and 17
- September 4 and 18
- October 2, 16 and 30
* Most lakes are stocked on Friday for weekend fishing. However, dates may change due to weather or other circumstances.
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 This is an urgent message:
We're counting on you to “Clean, Drain and Dry” your boat, trailer and gear (including bait buckets) to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. These preventative actions must be taken before traveling to another water body because there’s currently no way to rid a lake of zebra mussels once they’ve arrived.
It is unlawful to possess or transport zebra mussels even if you’re unaware you’re doing so.
You are required to drain all water from your boat and receptacles when traveling to or from any public water body in Texas. Zebra mussel larvae are invisible to the naked eye and can survive in small amounts of water.This law applies to all types of boats, whether powered or not. Violation of these laws could land you with a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500.
If you’ve been on one of these seven infested lakes – Texoma, Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Bridgeport, Lavon, Waco and Belton – you are at high risk for carrying zebra mussels and transporting them to another lake!
Zebra mussels damage boat hulls and clog engine cooling systems, destroy fishing habitat and litter shorelines with their sharp shells. By transporting even a few zebra mussels, you risk creating a thriving and dangerous population on another lake. Do your part - always, Clean, Drain and Dry.
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 Who you gonna call when you find an oil slick along a river or see a bunch of dead fish at your favorite fishing spot?
Call the Kills and Spills team as soon as possible. These biologists-turned-detectives diagnose pollution incidents, investigate and help restore the delicate balance in our fragile environment when damages occur from chemicals and petroleum. Go on the job with them in this video, “Watchdogs for Wildlife.”
If you see a fish or wildlife kill or suspect a pollution event:
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Summer months lure anglers to beaches, bays, estuaries and beyond. While you’re getting geared up to "go coastal," keep these tips in mind:
- Download the free Outdoor Annual app and keep fishing regulations handy. The new iSnapper app makes reporting red snapper harvest easy.
- Remember to tag red drum. All saltwater licenses come with one red drum tag allowing harvest of one over-sized drum.
- Did you know you can harvest shrimp for personal use? The only requirements are that you have a valid fishing license, a saltwater fishing stamp endorsement, use legal methods, and don’t sell your catch.
- State fishing regulations extend 9 nautical miles into the Gulf. Texas recreational and commercial fishermen fishing farther out are in federal waters and are subject to regulations that may differ from those in state waters.
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Save the seagrass and save the fish. Great coastal fishing depends on healthy seagrass beds. To avoid uprooting seagrass while in shallow waters, LIFT your motor, DRIFT with the current, POLE with a push-pole, or TROLL using a trolling motor. Watch your prop wash; it should be white, not brown.
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 The best time to start casting is before you go fishing. Practice time on dry land can bring you closer to achieving “the perfect cast” on the water, especially for beginners. Try these resources for beginners and those who want to brush up their skills:
Casting goes better for anglers who keep their gear humming along. Read “The Real Deal About Reels” for tips to keep your gear in working order.
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 You might want to spend some time at the gym before hooking an alligator gar. The world record of the species, caught in Mississippi in 2011, weighed 327 pounds and was probably at least 95 years old.
That may explain its growing popularity as a game fish in Texas, one of the last strongholds in the United States for this ancient species. Its late breeding age (at about 10 years) makes it a fragile population that needs dynamic conservation protections to keep the population strong.
The TPW Commission in 2009 adopted a daily bag limit of one alligator gar per person to protect adult fish, allow limited harvest, and ensure population stability.
Know these recent regulation updates regarding alligator gar:
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A temporary ban on gar fishing was enacted May 12 on the Trinity River south of Dallas prohibiting fishing for alligator gar in portions of the river between the Highway 31 Bridge near Trinidad and the Highway 7 Bridge near Crockett due to spawning activity. Read the details in this news release. Watch for gar spawning behavior (video).
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On Falcon Lake only, the limit will be expanded to 5 per day, according to the 2015-16 Statewide Recreational and Commercial Fishing Regulations, effective September 1 in all impounded waters of the Rio Grande from the Falcon Dam upstream to the Zapata/Webb County line.
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A message from a Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertiser
The hard-fighting and great-tasting red snapper is the number one targeted species offshore of Texas.
We need your help to make sure that Texas gets its share of red snapper – report your red snapper landings.
Management of red snapper continues to be challenging and controversial. Texas and the other four Gulf states, with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), manage red snapper in federal waters. Texas fishing regulations (less than 9 nautical miles from shore) may differ from federal regulations (more than 9 nautical miles from shore). Your reports help determine the health of the red snapper fishery off Texas shores.
Thank you in advance for your help in this partnership program between TPWD and the Harte Research Institute.
*Anglers fishing from party boats are exempt from reporting because the captain reports for them. Party boats are generally larger boats where people pay per person, as opposed to paying a single fee (for one or more persons) for a guided trip.
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A message from a Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertiser
Bigger, bolder, and full of fight - the largemouth bass Conservation License Plate will soon have a handsome new look! Sport one on your car, truck, boat trailer, motorcycle, or RV/travel trailer.
Each plate will be only $30/year with $22 going to support fish management, research and programs that keep fishing big in Texas.
Want to swap for the new Bass plate? If you have the current bass plate, you can go to your local tax county office and pay $7 and get the new design.
The new plate will be available soon. To be notified about the exact release date or for more information, visit: www.ConservationPlate.org/Bass
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Visit the Toyota Texas Bass Classic for big bass, big music and big family fun!
Imagine if you could fish and hunt without ever buying another state license. It could happen to you!
Entries are on sale for the next Lifetime License Drawing which will be held on June 30, 2015. Entries are just $5 and may be purchased anywhere Texas hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Visit the website for more information and complete rules.
The winner receives a Lifetime Super Combo License (an $1800 value) and a 1-year subscription to Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. All proceeds from the Lifetime License Drawing fees go directly to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for on-the-ground conservation efforts that help make Texas one of the best places in the country to hunt and fish.
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