June 9, 2020

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Announces 2020 Winners

ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is pleased to announce the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest winners for 2020.

June 2, 2020

Texas Outdoor Annual to go All-Digital for 2020-2021 Hunting, Fishing Season

AUSTIN— In the latest change driven by the current public health situation, the Texas Outdoor Annual Hunting, Fishing and Boating Regulations will be going all-digital for the upcoming hunting and fishing license season, starting when licenses go on sale on Aug. 15. Due to the economic impacts of the virus, the Outdoor Annual booklets will not be printed, but the 2020-2021 season regulations will be available online through OutdoorAnnual.com and the free Outdoor Annual mobile app.

June 1, 2020

Texas Hunting and Fishing License, Boat Registration Offices Open for Appointments Only

AUSTIN— Starting June 1, all Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement offices statewide and the license and registration office at the Austin headquarters will reopen to customers with appointments. Social distancing, face coverings and other public health measures will be mandatory for all customers.

May 29, 2020

Gear Up for Free Fishing Day in Texas June 6

AUSTIN – The first Saturday in June each year is designated as Free Fishing Day in the state of Texas. Texans can fish on any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license on June 6, 2020.

Game Warden Field Notes, May 29, 2020

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports.

Common Salvinia Discovered on Lake Fork

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) confirmed the presence of common salvinia on Lake Fork near Emory after conducting a vegetation survey on May 19, 2020.  The common salvinia was found in the White Oak Creek Cove, the same cove giant salvinia was found in 2018 and eventually eradicated.  Currently, the common salvinia is mixed with other aquatic vegetation and can be difficult to see.

May 27, 2020

Texas Game Wardens Put Wraps on Busy Memorial Day Weekend Boating Safety Effort

AUSTIN – Thousands of Texans headed out to lakes, rivers and coastal bays to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, and Texas Game Wardens were out in force to ensure everyone stayed safe on the water. Game wardens conducted safety checks on more than 9,000 vessels across the state between Friday and Monday.

May 26, 2020

New Overnight Reservations to Resume for Summer Trips to Texas State Parks

AUSTIN—Starting May 27, visitors will be able to make camping reservations at parks with arrival dates between June 1 and Sept. 7. This gradual reopening of overnight reservations will be limited to varying degrees at individual parks to align with safe business practices currently followed in Texas.

May 22, 2020

TPWD Reminds Boaters to ‘Clean, Drain and Dry’

AUSTIN – With the arrival of Memorial Day weekend and summertime temperatures, Texans may be getting out on the water. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) inland fisheries and law enforcement staff are urging boaters to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species, such as giant salvinia and zebra mussels, threatening Texas lakes.

Endangered Aplomado Falcon Chicks Banded at Mustang Island State Park

AUSTIN — On May 16, researchers banded two females and one male 26-day-old northern aplomado falcon chicks at Mustang Island State Park. This banding is part of ongoing restoration efforts by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the nonprofit The Peregrine Fund and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.