AUSTIN – Many aquaria and landscape enthusiasts appreciate the beauty and functionality of aquatic plants, but the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department wants to ensure the introduction of non-native aquatic plants will not harm the state’s natural resources.
Editors Note: Here’s a summary of the top news stories of 2010. Details about these topics can be found in the department’s online news archive.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
CORPUS CHRISTI — Due to continued public interest in overall spotted seatrout population health, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division staff will host a series of coastwide scoping meetings in January to obtain public input on potential conservation measures for spotted seatrout as part of the annual statewide proclamation process. Coastal Fisheries staff will consider input on how spotted seatrout are currently managed in Texas.
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Monday authorized the acquisition of nearly 18,000 acres of biologically diverse and culturally significant land in Val Verde County with 10 miles of frontage along the pristine Devil’s River by leveraging $4 million in public dollars with more than $10 million in private donations.
ATHENS, Texas — Individuals or organizations that have made a lasting contribution to freshwater fishing in Texas may be nominated through February 28 for induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
ATHENS—Bobbie Gayle of Millersview joined a very exclusive club December 15 when she caught Toyota ShareLunker 505 from O.H. Ivie Reservoir.
TYLER — The East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation (ETWWF) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will host two special fishing events in January 2010. Two thousand rainbow trout will be stocked into The Nature Center pond to provide a free fishing opportunity for area youth and their adult fishing mentors. Event dates are January 8 and 15, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine.
WICHITA FALLS — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) district fisheries office in Wichita Falls recently completed crappie surveys on Lakes Buffalo Creek, Lost Creek, Possum Kingdom, Wichita and Petrolia. “Overall, the news is good for anglers of these lakes,” said TPWD’s Robert Mauk.
AUSTIN— If you find yourself fresh out of holiday gift ideas for your camping-enthusiast cousins or that friend who would rather spend his or her spare time fishing on the lake and exploring state parks, TPWD suggests you shop the outdoors.