Aug. 23, 2021

Trinity River Alligator Gar Harvest Authorization Drawing Opens Sept. 1

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will begin the Alligator Gar Harvest Authorization drawing application process on September 1.

Aug. 12, 2021

Texas Hunting, Fishing Licenses on Sale Aug. 15

AUSTIN – The start of a new hunting season is right around the corner and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding hunters and anglers that current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) will expire at the end of August. New licenses for the 2021-22 season go on sale Aug. 15.

July 29, 2021

Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Nominations Accepted Through Nov. 1

ATHENS — The Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame committee is seeking nominations through Nov. 1, 2021 for individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to freshwater fishing in Texas for next year’s induction into the hall of fame.

July 28, 2021

Red Snapper Season Closes in Federal Waters Aug. 5

AUSTIN- The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 5. State waters out to nine nautical miles will remain open with a four fish daily bag limit and a 15-inch minimum.

Toyota ShareLunker Program Produces Hundreds of Thousands of Big Bass Offspring in 2021

ATHENS – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Toyota ShareLunker Program is experiencing a banner year in its goal to create, bigger, better bass in Texas. After obtaining 18 successful spawns from 19 of the 23 13-pound or larger Legacy Class fish loaned to the selective-breeding program in 2021, the department’s hatchery staff produced 271,872 fingerlings to benefit Texas public waters.

July 21, 2021

Emergency Spotted Seatrout Regulations Extended 60 Days in Laguna Madre

AUSTIN- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is extending the emergency spotted seatrout regulations in the Laguna Madre for an additional 60 days. These temporary regulation changes for spotted seatrout in the bays and beachfronts of the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre bay systems include:

July 8, 2021

Commercial Gulf Shrimp Season Opens Thursday, July 15

AUSTIN- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will reopen 30 minutes after sunset on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Biologists evaluate the biological, social and economic impact when deciding the opening date to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.

July 6, 2021

Bipartisan Wildlife Proposal Would Enhance Fish and Wildlife, Add Jobs, and Grow Businesses in Texas

AUSTIN— During the pandemic, Texans headed back to nature in record numbers, with more people visiting state parks, hunting, fishing, and boating than ever before. A new congressional proposal aims to tap that exploding interest by investing more than $50 million per year in Texas for wildlife recovery and related public education and recreation, a move expected to boost the state’s already booming nature-based economy into overdrive.

June 30, 2021

TPWD Emphasizes Importance for Boaters to “Clean, Drain, and Dry”

AUSTIN – Over the holiday weekend, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging boaters to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and giant salvinia, which are threating Texas lakes.

June 17, 2021

New Program Expands Fishing Access across Texas, Supports Freshwater Fish Habitat Projects

AUSTIN – The new Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP) will award grants to develop and increase shoreline and bank fishing access as well as restore and enhance fish habitat in Texas’ public inland waters. August 20 is the deadline to apply for grants under the new Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) program, which is funded from the sale of freshwater fishing licenses.