Texas boaters have the most significant role to play in preventing the spread of zebra mussels across Texas waters. Watch a video about what boaters can do and what the state is doing to stop the spread of this invasive and destructive species.

It is a Class C misdemeanor (for a 1st offense) to transport zebra mussels between water bodies. In addition, all boats operating on public freshwater anywhere in Texas must be drained before leaving or approaching a lake or river to help combat the further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. This includes livewells, bilges, motors, and any other receptacles or water-intake systems coming into contact with public waters. Read more detail about the regulation and recent discovery at Lake Waco.

Remember to always "Clean, Drain and Dry" your boat.

Thanks to Texas coastal anglers, biologists have some reassuring news about the red snapper population. This summer anglers were asked to voluntarily report snapper landings during the 9-day June federal season as part of a broader survey to assess red snapper populations.

 “Red snapper in Texas waters are doing great and show no signs of slowing down,” according to Jeremy Leitz, Regulations Program Specialist. 

The online reporting system recorded 119 fishing trips; more than 700 anglers harvested 1,511 red snapper within both federal and Texas state waters. Targeted creel surveys with over 1,900 anglers at boat ramps recorded an additional 4,096 red snapper.

Although the 2014 federal season is over, anglers are encouraged to continue to record red snapper landings.

"Save the seagrass. Save the fish." That’s the bottom line for regulations effective September 1, 2013 to ban the uprooting of seagrass with a boat propeller in Texas coastal waters. This is the one-year anniversary of the law which applies to all seagrass meadows (See a map of coastal seagrass meadows). No areas are closed to boating due to this regulation.

Biologists continue to study the impact of a similar rule which has applied to the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area (RBSSA) since 2006. Propeller scars in that area near Rockport have dropped 45%. 

Seagrass is critical to good fishing. Marine organisms depend on it for survival — for food, shelter, and oxygen. Seagrass provides habitat for some favorite recreational and commercial species, such as red drum, black drum, and spotted seatrout.

To avoid uprooting seagrass, LIFT your motor, DRIFT with the current, POLE with a push-pole, or TROLL using a trolling motor when in shallow waters. Watch your prop wash; it should be white, not brown. 

Image: Damage done by a propeller in a seagrass meadow.

As the latest addition to the Artificial Reef Program, the Kinta S was scuttled in 77 feet of water to enhance the Corpus Christi Nearshore Reef, a 160-acre reef officially known as MU 775.  It is the largest ship to be reefed since the 473-foot Texas Clipper was sunk 17 miles off South Padre Island in 2007. Read more about the ship and its location, a new destination for anglers and divers.

The Texas Artificial Reef Program partners with conservation organizations, corporations, and communities and sportsmen to create and maintain over 4,000 acres of artificial reef structures within Texas Gulf waters.

Trout, snapper, stripers and more! About 41 million fish are stocked into Texas waters every year, including our most popular sport fishes. They are provided by eight fish hatcheries operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Stocking locations target both inland and coastal waters, an investment in continued great Texas fishing.

Rainbow trout fishing in Texas is a great example of the program's success. Trout stocking is a winter highlight for many anglers. About 100 locations are stocked with trout each winter. When cooler weather arrives, trout stocking dates and locations will be listed on the website beginning in mid-November each year.

Three artificial reef sites and two state park projects totaling about $18 million will begin to compensate Texas for lost human use of natural resources resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The projects are part of the latest round of early restoration led by state and federal Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees.

Read more detail about these five projects that will enhance fishing experiences for anglers:

• Ship Reef/Corpus Reef (federal waters/Nueces County): $1.9 million
• Freeport Artificial Reef (Brazoria County): $2.2 million
• Matagorda Artificial Reef (Matagorda County): $3.6 million
• Galveston Island State Park Beach Redevelopment (Galveston County): $10.7 million
• Sea Rim State Park Improvements (Jefferson County): $210,000

For those who love Texas’ great coastal sportfishing, it can be heartbreaking to find a long line of wasted fish or a gill net full of dead sharks adrift in the Gulf. (Particularly hard hit are sharks which are being killed for their fins.)

Texas Game Wardens take a special interest in marine poaching which can decimate healthy fish populations and deprive honest anglers and commercial fishermen, not to mention the Gulf fishery, of a valued resource. 

Read “Hooking Poachers,” the game wardens’ stories of their multi-day patrols to thwart these environmental pirates.

One of the main reasons folks don’t go fishing is simply that they don’t know where to go.  The good news is that public freshwater and saltwater access points are out there. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Where to Fish – A list of lakes, rivers, saltwater and city fishing locations including wheelchair access.
• State Parks – Fishing is available at more than 50 state parks through the state. And remember, no fishing license is required at Texas State Parks.
• Neighborhood Fishin’  - Texas has 16 urban-area fishing lakes that are close to home and stocked with catfish every two weeks in the summer and trout every two weeks in the winter. They’re especially handy for introducing a new angler to the sport.

Stay in the know about what’s biting and where. Check the weekly Fishing Reports or sign up to receive them free by email or text message on your mobile device.

Woldert Park Pond at the Glass Recreation Center in Tyler is the newest location in the Neighborhood Fishin' Program. The 1.5-acre pond is stocked with rainbow trout every two weeks from December through February and stocked with catfish every two weeks in warmer months.

Bringing fishing spots close to home, the Neighborhood Fishin’ program, in partnership with local governments, supports 16 lakes in 10 urban areas.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 should submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program to help breed bigger bass. Review the rules and call (903) 681-0550 if you land a Lunker. Tip: keep the phone number in your mobile phone.

Catching a 13-pound bass is possible almost anywhere you fish in Texas. Be prepared with a few simple steps to help ensure the survival of your ShareLunker:

• Carry a landing net, preferably a rubber one or a net with unknotted mesh, to avoid damaging the fish’s slime coat.
• Fill your livewell before you begin fishing.
• Program the ShareLunker numbers into your phone before the season begins.
• Carry a scale and check its accuracy before the season begins.
• Locate a place near your fishing spot such as a feed store, grocery store or bait shop that has a certified scale and will weigh fish. Also some reservoirs have established official ShareLunker weigh and holding stations. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Image: Jason Hanson returns ShareLunker 551 to Lake Athens.

Mark your calendars! The 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic – an event which draws the world’s top professional bass anglers – has been set for Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, at Lake Fork near Quitman. In addition to three days of world championship competition, organizers plan a full line up of premier country music acts, vendor expo showcases, and outdoor family activities. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic website will have more information on tickets and the events schedule as information develops.