Memorial Day is when we remember the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, so that their sacrifice is never forgotten. If you’re planning to fish over Memorial Day weekend, we challenge you to honor these heroes by completing a red, white and blue slam. 

To carry out this slam, you have to catch fish that have the words red, white or blue in their name - at least one fish for each color. Post a photo of your red, white and blue slam on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages with the hashtag #fishredwhiteblue. 

Suggested freshwater species: redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, red drum; white bass, white crappie; bluegill, blue catfish 

Suggested saltwater species: red snapper, red drum, red grouper, white marlin, white mullet, whiting, blue marlin, blue runner, bluefish

Don’t forget to check your freshwater and saltwater fish bag and length limits and to carry your fishing license. Active Texas military and disabled veterans always fish for free with their designated licenses. And everyone fishes for free in Texas state parks.

Many fallen servicemembers loved the sport of angling. While you’re fishing this Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to remember the sacrifice they made to provide freedom for us all.

Texas has many scenic rivers with fine fishing, but much of the land adjacent to these rivers is private property. So TPWD is working with landowners to lease their riverfront property in order to provide more public access to rivers. 

These leases are intended to offer a serene wilderness experience and a high-quality fishing opportunity on our rivers. Anglers and paddlers, you can use these leased access areas for fishing and launching non-motorized boats from 30 minutes before daylight until 30 minutes after dusk. Be sure you always respect any private land you cross. 

We currently have 10 leased access sites around the state, plus 4 seasonal sites available during trout season. There are 3 more leases on the Colorado, Nueces and Sabine rivers set to open up this summer! Click on the link to a specific access site and you’ll get more information, like whether there is a boat ramp or public restrooms, if there’s a fee or if reservations are required. The leases do eventually expire, so get out there now to fish, paddle and enjoy your new river access.

Do concerts by major country artists, fantastic food, a Kid’s Zone and serious fishing appeal to you? Then come out to Toyota Texas Fest May 20-22 at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. 

The heart of the fest is the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, the championship of professional bass fishing. The top 38 anglers in the world compete for the trophy at nearby Ray Roberts Lake State Park. They'll even bring a few of the biggest bass to the stadium for you to see, before they're released back into the lake.

The TPWD Outdoor Adventure Area will feature games and activities including archery, casting and rock climbing, along with a host of outdoor-themed educational and interactive exhibits. We’ll have fun for all ages, so come on by and say hello. 

Buy your tickets now. They start at $10/day or $20/all 3 days, kids under 16 and military and their families get in free. Proceeds benefit TPWD's youth fishing and urban outreach programs, which have received $2.25 million since the Bass Classic began 10 years ago. It’s big fun for a good cause - we’ll see you there!

Sea Rim State Park has a maze of marshes for you to discover, along with 3 different paddling trails. Since they’re part of the Texas Paddling Trails, there are maps and trail markers posted to help you get around. Check out other Coastal Paddling Trails for spots to test your angling skills, including one at Galveston Island State Park, which was voted one of the top family fishing spots in the nation last year. 

If you’ve never paddled a kayak, it’s not hard. Check out this article for some tips. Remember to always wear a life jacket and stay safe. We’ve got a list of places to rent kayaks near state parks (where you don't need a license to fish) if you want to build up your skills. Get a taste of how enjoyable kayak fishing can be in this Heroes on the Water video. Then take out a kayak on your next fishing trip and explore its angling advantages.

Zebra mussels will quickly put a damper on your fishing experience by cutting your hands, feet and fishing line. Giant salvinia will make it hard to even get a line in the water. It grows amazingly quickly and will eventually block any sunlight from entering the water, seriously impacting your sport fishing. All invasive species also attack the aquatic ecosystem, which can’t successfully fight back on its own, it needs your help. Don’t give shelter to the enemy – clean drain and dry every time. Protect the lakes you love.

Discover the thrill of helping someone learn to fish - volunteer as an instructor in our Angler Education Program. The program helps new anglers learn the skills they need to be successful at fishing, as well as safe and ethical. Learning to fish is also a wonderful way to help children and adults alike re-connect with nature. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer angler instructor, you’ll start with a free skills workshop. We’ll give you training, curriculum, supplies and support so you can bring fishing activities and events to your community. Extend a hand and pass on your appreciation of the sport of fishing. You know that old saying: “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” 

Check out the comments on the Facebook post for some other recent catches at Lake Conroe, where fishing is thriving. And keep up with the freshest fish stories by following us on Facebook.

Get to know your favorite freshwater fish species. Experts have provided a special look into Texas’ most popular fish— including species descriptions, illustrations, insights into where to fish and how to catch them. Find this exclusive guide in the Texas Fishing Guide section of the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine mobile app. 

Download the app for your Apple or Android devices!