ATHENS – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Toyota ShareLunker Program is having a banner year in its efforts to create bigger, better bass in Texas. After successfully spawning three of the five 13 pound or larger Legacy Class largemouth bass loaned to the selective-breeding program in 2019, the department’s hatchery staff produced more than 92,000 offspring to stock in Texas public lakes.
AUSTIN- Summer is a great time to explore the Texas coast. Longer days, family vacations and more than 350 miles of coastline make its shallow bays and estuaries the perfect spot for anglers, boaters and kayakers. Yet, when people in different watercraft encounter each other in some spots, that can lead to user conflicts, and some boaters have damaged important ecological habitat. All this is prompting fishing guides and others to call for a new code of behavior.
AUSTIN— Last year, Texas’ temperatures soared to record highs and staff at more than 40 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sites handled 134 incidents relating to heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. On the eve of the official start of summer, TPWD experts are sharing their top six heat hacks for staying safe in the outdoors during the blistering Texas heat.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
AUSTIN – With long summer holidays on the horizon, many anglers are looking for unique fishing destinations to explore with friends and family. This year, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries staff are encouraging Texans to try heading west to target a variety of fish species and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
On June 1, researchers put leg bands on fuzzy Aplomado falcon chicks at Mustang Island State Park, where a pair of adult falcons occupy one of 67 artificial nest structures maintained along the Texas coast. A few days later, on June 5, scientists banded the 500th Aplomado falcon in Texas. It’s all part of ongoing monitoring to maintain the success of a wildlife restoration effort begun decades ago.
LA PORTE— Battleship Texas State Historic Site will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a day of activities from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8. Admission to the ceremony is free and open to the public and boarding will begin at 7:30 a.m. Regular ship admission will be charged beginning at 9:30 a.m.
AUSTIN- The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens June 1 for a projected 97-days. Red snapper fishing is open year around in state waters. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged; 2 fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters, and 4 fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum in state waters.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
ATHENS — The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has announced the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest winners for 2019.