Conserving the State Fish of Texas
To catch a Guadalupe Bass, the official state fish of Texas, from one of the crystalline, spring-fed rivers of the Texas Hill Country should be on the bucket list of every Texan.
Threats to the species are enormously challenging to address, but since concerted efforts were launched in 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and partners have restored or conserved fishable populations of Guadalupe Bass in 14 central Texas rivers. This was supported through actions such as conservation stocking of over 2.4 million Guadalupe Bass fingerlings, implementation of nearly 50 habitat restoration or preservation projects, and watershed-scale management of riparian invasive plants in eight watersheds. Efforts to assess, monitor, or restore additional populations of Guadalupe Bass are currently planned or underway in another 13 rivers throughout central Texas.
TPWD currently manages 20 public river access areas that offer angling opportunities for Guadalupe Bass (listed below), which have served as focal points for engagement of fishing clubs, local conservation groups, and communities in efforts to restore and preserve Guadalupe Bass and its habitats. Although outcomes achieved for Guadalupe Bass represent an incredible conservation success story, continued actions are needed to ensure that current and future generations of Texas anglers can experience this storied fish.
To learn more, read articles on restoration of Guadalupe Bass in the March 2018 or June 2021 issues of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine or explore annual reports and other resources profiling the Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative at the links provided below.
