July 28, 2009

Texas Anglers Strike Back at Invasive Aquatics

ATHENS, Texas — Texas anglers and boaters get it: Invasive aquatic species are a real and growing threat to their ability to do what they love to do-but they don’t have to stand by and watch it happen.

July 23, 2009

Student Interns Get Feet Wet in World of Texas Coastal Fisheries

AUSTIN, Texas — For the past month and a half, Cynthia Kelly wakes up each morning to a different variety of fish to study or a new slice of coastal habitat near Corpus Christi to explore. She’s one of four student interns working this summer with the Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department up and down the Texas coast.

July 22, 2009

Native Plant Restoration Set for July 25 at Lake Conroe

CONROE, Texas — This Saturday morning, July 25 on Lake Conroe, state fisheries biologists and volunteers will plant about 150 native plants in protective cages, part of a statewide effort to restore lake vegetation that improves water quality, prevents erosion, and provides high quality habitat (food and shelter) for fish and other wildlife.

July 15, 2009

‘Take Me Fishing 101’ Videos Help New Anglers Gear Up

AUSTIN, Texas — You walk into a sporting goods store and see a row of fishing poles hanging from a shelf.  All of them look the same, and you become so overwhelmed that you leave in frustration.  You’ve always wanted to pick up the sport but don’t really know where to even begin.

Texas Moves to Protect Trophy Alligator Gar Fishery

ATHENS, Texas — The 82-inch, 140-pound alligator gar I pulled from the Trinity River in April 2008 will likely remain my fish of a lifetime.

July 10, 2009

NOAA Grant to Restore Galveston Bay Marsh a ‘Happy Surprise’ for State

AUSTIN, Texas — When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publicly announced the last week of June that it was providing $5,148,369 to help restore critical wetlands in West Galveston Bay, the news took Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staffers who wrote the grant request by surprise.

July 7, 2009

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Season to Open July 15

AUSTIN, Texas — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset Wednesday, July 15, 2009. The opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.

July 2, 2009

Game Wardens to Increase Water Safety Patrols over July 4 Weekend

AUSTIN, Texas — State officials who in March feared a repeat of 2008’s near-record boating fatality numbers now say a quiet July 4 holiday weekend could put Texas on track for the lowest number of boating deaths in years.

June 25, 2009

2nd Segment in ‘Take Me Fishing 101’ Video Series Stresses Safety for Angler and Fish

AUSTIN, Texas — Fishing is a sport that can provide hours of enjoyment for people of all ages. Of course, the best way to make sure everyone has fun while fishing is to take the necessary steps to ensure your next angling outing in a safe one.

June 18, 2009

‘Take Me Fishing 101’ Video Series Prepares New Anglers for Outdoor Adventure

AUSTIN, Texas — A new "how-to" video series from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department walks novice anglers through everything they need to know to get started in a sport that often is seen as a gateway to the great outdoors.