Feb. 23, 2021

Winter Weather Causes Fish Kills on Texas Coast

AUSTIN- The Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), with assistance from the Law Enforcement Division, continues to assess the fish kills along the Texas coast due to the recent winter weather. Freezing events along the Texas Coast are rare, but extreme cold temperatures can be a natural cause of fish kills. If fish do not make it to refuge in deeper, more temperature stable water in cold weather, they may die when water temperatures reach a certain threshold. For example, spotted seatrout experience more mortalities associated with freezing weather than other common game species.

Public Help Sought to Report Fish and Wildlife Impacted by Winter Storm Uri

AUSTIN – Recent snowfall and freezing temperatures affected many fish and wildlife species throughout the state and now Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking for the public’s help in reporting any animal mortality events they observe on their property, ranches, or in their neighborhoods through this project on the iNaturalist website. Citizens are encouraged to report observations so that biologists can better understand the impacts of Winter Storm Uri to natural resources.

Feb. 18, 2021

Biologists Examine Winter Weather Impact on Texas Wildlife

AUSTIN — As much of Texas has experienced historic winter weather, native wildlife populations throughout the state have also felt the impact. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds the public that many native wildlife species will be able to survive short durations of historic low temperatures and snow events. However, long-term impacts on a variety of wildlife and their habitats, especially on vegetation, may not be known for weeks.

TPWD Requests Volunteers to Temporarily Delay Abandoned Crab Trap Collection Efforts

AUSTIN- Texas coastal waters will close to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps for 10 consecutive days beginning Friday Feb. 19. This is done annually to facilitate the removal of abandoned crab traps from Texas bays. Since the beginning of this coordinated effort to remove abandoned traps from the bays in 2002, over 38,000 traps have been removed with the help of nearly 4,000 volunteers coastwide.

Feb. 13, 2021

TPWD Temporarily Closes Fishing On Texas Coast

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has issued a temporary closure to saltwater fishing along parts of the Texas coast to protect resources during freezing weather conditions. The closure takes effect at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15 and extends through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Feb. 10, 2021

Bird City Texas Certifies Three New Communities

AUSTIN – Bird City Texas, a partnership program between Audubon Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), is proud to announce that Galveston, San Antonio and Surfside Beach have been certified as Bird City Texas communities. These three communities join the inaugural 2020 Bird City Texas communities and will be certified through December 2023.

Feb. 5, 2021

Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season

AUSTIN – Anglers across the state entered 340 lunker bass greater than 8 pounds in the Toyota ShareLunker program from 86 lakes during the 2020 season, which wrapped up Dec. 31. In addition to helping produce bigger, better bass for Texas lakes, anglers who enter their big bass catches in the program receive special recognition and prizes, including an entry into a year-end drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and an annual fishing license.

Game Warden Field Notes, Feb. 5, 2021

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) law enforcement reports.

Feb. 2, 2021

Anglers Bag Two More Toyota ShareLunker Legacy Class Lunkers and Two Tournament Titles on Final Weekend of January

AUSTIN – The 2021 Toyota ShareLunker season continued its hot start after anglers reeled in two more Legacy Class Lunkers during the final weekend of January. That brings the total to four this year, equaling the amount caught during the 2020 season with two more months still to go. In addition, both anglers went on to win their respective tournaments due in large part to landing the Legacy Lunkers.

Annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Dates Set for 2021

AUSTIN —Each February for 19 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 38,000 of these derelict traps.