The early signs of spring are here, which means white bass are beginning their rush upstream. This is fast, light-tackle fishing at its best – do not miss it!

White bass typically run from Feb. to early May. Minimum length is 10" and daily bag limit is 25, so don't forget your cooler. Refer to the Outdoor Annual app or online for bass I.D. tips. 

For suggestions on where to find them, see our press release White Bass Run Expectations High for 2022. To pick up pro tips and techniques, watch our free webinar Fly Fishing for White Bass, presented by professional guide Pat Vanek. 

For an angler's-eye view of catching, prepping and cooking white bass, watch our short video Catching White Bass on the Neches River. We'll see you out there!

If you've dreamed of catching supersized fish, head to the coast now for black drum. They can live more than 40 years, and the current state record is a monstrous 81 lbs.

Large schools of black drum gather from Feb. to March before spawning offshore and in bays. Fish for them on the bottom using Gulf shrimp, crabs or sea lice as bait. 

Small “puppy” drum can be taken from bay shores, rock groins and reefs on live Gulf shrimp or fiddler crabs, and they make very fine eating. You can identify them by the dark vertical bars on their sides, which disappear with age. Chef Davis Turner specializes in black drum, try his fish fry recipe with your catch. 

Daily bag limit is 5, size limit is 14"-30", and regulations allow you to keep one over 52". Whether you're looking for tasty table fare, or to fulfill a desire to catch a very large fish for a very impressive photo, go fishing for black drum.  

Could this year be even better than 2021 for ShareLunkers? It is for Brodey Davis. He just reeled in one of the top-10 largest Texas Lunkers of all time, a 17.06 lb. Legacy Class bass and the pending new lake record for O.H. Ivie. 

Brodey's not alone. See our press release February Ends with Historic Run of ShareLunkers for more Legacy Lunker tidbits. Follow the ShareLunker program on Facebook for the latest updates. 

These 4 lakes gave up Lunkers for the very first time in 2021, so we expect they will give up many more:

• Eagle Mountain Lake 
• Lake Tyler   
• Lake Coleman
• Lake Travis   

Will this be your year to reel in a Legacy? Use the free ShareLunker app to easily enter your catch. Legacy Lunker season ends 3/31, but you can enter your bass in the ShareLunker program year-round. Good luck!

We are currently accepting public comment on proposed changes to 2022-2023 fishing regulations. We'll present information and answer questions in an online webinar on 3/10 at 6:00 p.m.

Comments on the proposed changes may be submitted online until 3/23. Your input will be considered before any action is taken by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its 3/24 public hearing. See our press release for more information. 

Each year we consider changes in fishing regulations in order to maximize recreational fishing in a way consistent with good management. Your license fees help pay for this management, which helps make Texas one of the best places in the world to fish. Thank you for purchasing a license. 

New spotted seatrout regulations take effect on 3/16 in the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre Bay systems, Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay and Corpus Christi Bay. 

• Daily bag limit is 3 
• Size limits are minimum 17", maximum 23"

These regulations will be in effect until Aug. 31, 2023. Biologists expect this will result in a population increase since mature fish will be left in the water to spawn.

See our press release New Spotted Seatrout Regulations Begin March 16 in Multiple Bay Systems for details. Refer to the Outdoor Annual app or online for all up-to-date fishing regulation information. 

Join our FREE webinar, Make Soft Plastic Fishing Lures at Home, on Wed. 3/23 at 6 p.m. We'll do some demos, cover rigging options and discuss how to fish particular baits for spawning largemouth bass. Class size is limited, so sign up today. 

For more lure-making demos, check out our 2021 webinar, Making Soft Plastics Lures at Home. Pick up more pro tips for choosing and using soft baits in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Art Imitates Nature. 

Family fishing trips are often eagerly anticipated events, especially by children, who benefit from the bonding time with their parents.

We have partnered with Fishing's Future and Vamos a Pescar to create free, in-person family fishing events across Texas and live, online educational webinars through June 25. We even provide the gear! You just register in advance to participate.

If you fish with children, these resources can help you give them a safe and fun experience:

• Tips for Fishing with Kids
• Neighborhood Fishin' Lakes
• Fishing Events

Shane Wilson, the 2020 inductee into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, recognized the impact family fishing can have on child development. So he created Fishing’s Future, which is devoted to family bonding through fishing. Watch our video Shane Wilson, Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame to find out more about Shane and Fishing's Future.

Make some lifelong, happy memories – take a child fishing.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Texas Trustees have released Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #2, and public comment is invited through 3/28. 

These proposed restoration projects for coastal and nearshore habitats, oysters, sea turtles, birds and more will partially compensate for the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010.

You can also register to attend an online webinar taking place on 3/9 at 6 p.m., where more information will be presented. See our press release to find out more.