Flood Impact Alert
As floodwaters recede across the state, conditions remain dynamic. Learn about the impact of flooding on state parks, wildlife and lost vessels.
JUNCTION — Nestled just off IH-10 on the western edge of the hill country is the International Dark-Sky Association’s newest appointee – South Llano River State Park located just outside of Junction. The International Dark-Sky Park designation will ensure the protection of the park’s dark skies not only for the park’s natural resources, but also for the local community and out-of-town visitors to enjoy.
ATHENS — Fort Worth angler Ryder Wicker caught the first Toyota ShareLunker of the 2017 season Feb. 10 at Marine Creek Lake. But this wasn’t the only “first” he checked off the list – this particular fish outweighs the former water body record holder by more than 2 pounds, and is likely the first ShareLunker caught from a group of selectively bred largemouth bass that were stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries biologists 11 years ago.
AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries staff partnered up with the Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU) to develop a free online virtual river navigation tool for anglers and river recreationists using the web-based tool Fish Views.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
ATHENS – Fly Fish Texas is back for the 17th year with a jam-packed day of activities, classes, demonstrations and vendors 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. And it’s all free with the cost of admission to the TFFC.
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is building its next generation of elite state law enforcement officers with the 62nd Texas Game Warden Cadet class. Applications are being accepted now through March 31.
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has more than 68 repair and improvement projects, with a total construction value at over $70 million, which must be bid and encumbered into construction contracts by this August, thanks to funding provided during the 84th legislative session in 2015. For builders who like the idea of working in state parks, it can offer a nice change of pace compared to big city projects. Anyone is encouraged to bid, but the agency makes special efforts to appeal to minority and woman-owned businesses, following state purchasing rules.
AUSTIN – The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar Education Fund announced five Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partnered fishing organizations as grant recipients to help bring conservation, education and fishing and boating experiences to Hispanic families.
GALVESTON – The public will soon have a chance to ask the experts about the spiky, venomous fish invading Texas coastal waters and threatening natural resources.
AUSTIN —Each February for more than 15 years, countless volunteers spend 10 days on the water along the Texas coastline searching the bays for abandoned crab traps left to foul shrimpers’ nets, snag anglers’ lines, “ghost fish,” and create unsightly views. To date, they’ve hauled off more than 32,000 of these derelict traps.