Aug. 7, 2023

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Closing to the Public Starting Aug. 28 for Renovations

ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens will be closed to the public starting Aug. 28 for major renovations and updates.

July 17, 2023

RACA Program Expands Public Fishing, Paddling Access with New Sites

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is increasing public fishing and paddling opportunities in the state thanks to the addition of two leased river access sites through the River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) program. The new sites are located on the Brazos and San Marcos rivers, giving the public more options and flexibility to access these incredible waterways.

July 7, 2023

Commercial Gulf Shrimp Season Opens Saturday, July 15

AUSTIN — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for state and federal waters will reopen 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Biologists evaluate the biological, social and economic impacts when determining the opening date to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.

May 30, 2023

Free Fishing Day in Texas Slated for June 3

AUSTIN – Each year on the first Saturday in June, anglers across the state pack their tackle boxes and get their fishing poles ready for the Texas tradition of Free Fishing Day. This year, Free Fishing Day lands on June 3 and Texans can fish on any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license.

May 11, 2023

Hords Creek Lake ‘Fully Infested’ with Invasive Zebra Mussels

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Hords Creek Lake in Coleman County as “infested” with invasive zebra mussels, signifying that an established, reproducing population is present in the lake.

May 9, 2023

La temporada del pargo rojo (huachinango) en aguas federales abre el 1 de junio

AUSTIN — La temporada para la pesca recreativa privada del pargo rojo (huachinango)  en aguas federales abrirá el jueves 1 de junio. La pesca de pargo rojo (huachinango) está abierta todo el año en aguas estatales. Los límites de piezas capturadas y tamaño mínimo permanecerán sin cambios.

Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1

AUSTIN — The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens Thursday, June 1. Red snapper fishing is open year-round in state waters. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged.

May 8, 2023

El Cierre de la Temporada de Camarón del Golfo será el 15 de mayo

AUSTIN — La temporada de Pesca Comercial de Camarón en el Golfo de México, tanto para Texas como para aguas federales, cerrará 30 minutos después de la puesta del sol el lunes, 15 de mayo de 2023 hasta una fecha aún por determinar en el mes de julio.  Mientras que la fecha oficial de apertura para la temporada en el Golfo es el 15 de julio, la División de Pesquerías Costeras del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas (TPWD) estará tomando muestras de las poblaciones de camarón este verano para determinar la fecha óptima para la apertura.

Gulf Shrimp Season Closes May 15

AUSTIN- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on Monday, May 15, 2023until a still-to-be determined date in July. While the statutory opening date for the gulf season is July 15, the Coastal Fisheries Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be sampling shrimp populations this summer to determine the optimum opening date.

May 1, 2023

TPWD Provides Anglers with Best Practices for Catch and Release of Alligator Gar

AUSTIN — Alligator gar hold a special place in Texans’ hearts as the largest and longest-living freshwater species in the state. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) works to ensure healthy populations remain in Texas for future generations to enjoy. As waters warm and alligator gar fishing heats up this summer, TPWD is working with anglers, who play a key role in conservation efforts through proper catch-and-release practices.