Fish Texas – Fall 2013

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Fish Texas header Saltwater

In this issue: 

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Gargantuan Gar Dwarf Bass and Anglers

alligator gar swimmingTired of giant bass and bigger catfish? Alligator gar can make a ShareLunker look like a snack and match your height inch for inch. Think 8 feet and 300 pounds with lots of teeth. As this once overlooked species draws increasing attention from anglers, TPWD biologists are studying harvest rates and species data to monitor the health of the population. Watch this video to see why Texans and folks from all over the world like to land ‘em.

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Why Saltwater Fishing Just Gets Better

underwater seagrass Fine fishing along the Texas coast began with great natural resources but has been challenged in recent decades by nature and by man. The future holds promise thanks to some ongoing help from individuals, biologists and conservationists. These four stories tell some of the tale:
  • Research and regulations – As described in this story from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, they help insure there is “Game Fish for All.”
  • Raising more fish – Millions of hatchlings are released each year in inland and coastal waters. See what’s been accomplished in “Hatchery Milestone - Thirty Years of Raising Fish”.
  • Protecting and restoring coastal habitat – A critical nursery for saltwater species, our delicate coastal grass flats provide food and shelter to our most popular gamefish and Gulf species. It is now illegal (read news release) to uproot seagrass in all coastal waters. See how to protect seagrass in this video.
  • Gulf recovery funding – Texas will receive $203 million over a five-year period to restore Gulf coast natural resources impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and to reduce future risk.

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A message from a Texas Parks & Wildlife sponsor

ADV Toyota Texas Bass Classic Oct 4-6
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Zebra Mussel Spread in North Texas Waters

zebra mussels close upIn June, destructive invasive zebra mussels were documented in Lake Lewisville and Lake Bridgeport

Emergency orders added the West Fork of the Trinity River including Lakes Bridgeport, Eagle Mountain, and Worth to the list of water bodies under special regulations intended to help control their spread. Lakes Texoma, Ray Roberts and Lewisville were already under orders and continue to be so.

What you can't see (zebra mussel larvae are invisible to the naked eye) can hurt your favorite fishing spot. Regulations require that you drain your boat, live wells, bilges and bait buckets and then dry trailers and gear before moving to another water body. It is illegal to transport zebra mussels – knowingly or unknowingly.

Please share this message: Stop zebra mussels. Clean, Drain and Dry your boat, trailer and gear.

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Message: Clean Drain Dry Your Boat
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Fishing Reg Changes, Offshore Law

warden writes a ticket on offshore vessel

Stay sharp for the season with these seasonal tidbits:

  • Fishing regulation changes are minimal this season. Highlights include length and bag limit changes at Lake Jackson and Kurth Reservoir, and new gear restrictions at Canyon Lake Project #6. Read the detail.
  • Game Wardens now have the authority to enforce federal regulations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (9-200 miles off the Texas coast.) Persons who enter Texas waters with fish or aquatic animals taken in violation of federal law in the EEZ may be prosecuted. Check all the 2013-2014 fishing regs.
  • Stay in the know. Check the weekly Fishing Reports online and make sure you’re signed up to receive them in your inbox.  Away from your computer? Keep up with all the fishing news – fishing reports, records, regulations and more - with the Fishing mobile web page.

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A message from a Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertiser

ad for Ocean Kayaking
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50th Anniversary Archives: “A Boat is Not a Car”

70s image young couple in boatHelp celebrate the 50th anniversary of Texas Parks and Wildlife with something completely different. Enjoy a laugh with a few minutes of this 1970s-era, “A Boat is not a Car” boating education video. Try to stay with it until the new boat owners hit the lake. Review: Two paddles up!

We love old photos, so don’t be shy! Join the 50th anniversary celebration by sharing your great Texas fishing photo or story. Hey, a 70s-era shot would fit right in.

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A message from a Texas Parks and Wildlife advertiser

ADV Dodge Ram
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Beyond Hydrilla: Lake Conroe Team Beats Invasives

water teeming with fishA devilish interaction between hydrilla and grass carp has plagued Lake Conroe since it was first impounded in the 1970s, but a holistic approach promoting biodiversity and a balanced aquatic ecosystem is breaking the invasive cycle. Replanted colonies of native plants have created habitat for juvenile fish and led to significant increases in fish and other wildlife.

Watch this video story about a successful partnership. Five miles of Lake Conroe shoreline have been restored, earning the Lake Conroe Habitat Improvement Coalition the 2013 Civic/Community Texas Environmental Excellence Award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Texas Parks and Wildlife is a core cooperator in this coalition.

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Bass Lovers’ Corner: Bass Classic, 'Lunker Season

really big bass and angler Gary SimsThe Toyota Texas Bass Classic is set for October 4-6 at Lake Conroe. See some of the world’s best anglers complete. Don’t miss the big bass, big music and big fun! Find all the entertainment detail in this news release

See some of last year’s biggest bass and the visionary anglers who give life to the ShareLunker Program. Read the program rules, and when you reel in a qualifying 13-pound-plus largemouth bass this year, call our 24-hour pager at 1-888-784-0600 (October 1-April 30 only) to donate it to help Texas’ bass fishing great.

Sign up to receive Toyota ShareLunker News with information on all ShareLunkers caught.

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Wardens Launch New Marine Investigations Unit

wardens in training inspect boat and trailer

Anyone with any information regarding boat theft or boat registration fraud in Texas is urged to call the 24-hour Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-792-4263.

Texas Parks and Wildlife recently created a new Marine Investigations Unit made up of Texas game wardens who will work to combat boat and watercraft theft and related fraud by focusing on these high dollar crimes and on their prevention.

Texas always ranks in the top three states nationwide in boat theft with only a 10 percent recovery rate compared with roughly 70 percent in vehicle theft. Learn more about Texas Game Wardens.

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Outdoor Annual
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Help Stop Illegal Fishing - Call 1-800-792-GAME

warden cuffs a suspectThis video message from Operation Game Thief shows how you can safely help Texas Game Wardens stop illegal fishing and hunting in Texas. Operation Game Thief, Texas’ wildlife crime-stoppers program, offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction for a wildlife crime.


Call 1-800-792-GAME (4263) any time day or night when you suspect any fishing or game law violation. You can also send an anonymous text message to 847411. Just begin your message with the letters TPWD. 

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A message from a Texas Parks and Wildlife sponsor

ADV La Quinta
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