AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) confirmed the presence of common salvinia on Lake Fork near Emory after conducting a vegetation survey on May 19, 2020. The common salvinia was found in the White Oak Creek Cove, the same cove giant salvinia was found in 2018 and eventually eradicated. Currently, the common salvinia is mixed with other aquatic vegetation and can be difficult to see.
AUSTIN – Thousands of Texans headed out to lakes, rivers and coastal bays to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, and Texas Game Wardens were out in force to ensure everyone stayed safe on the water. Game wardens conducted safety checks on more than 9,000 vessels across the state between Friday and Monday.
AUSTIN- With Texas gradually re-opening, Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens will partially re-open to public visitation on Wednesday, May 27. Both facilities will have enhanced safety measures that comply with CDC guidelines and Governor Abbott’s executive orders.
AUSTIN – On May 21, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission discussed several changes to state saltwater fishing regulations, including updates to the recreational and commercial flounder fishery regulations and paddle craft all-water guide license.
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted multiple changes to the freshwater fishing regulations for the upcoming 2020-2021 season at the meeting held virtually May 21. Modifications include length limits and harvest regulations at some waterbodies for largemouth bass; blue, channel, and flathead catfish; and black and white crappie. The expiration date of August 31, 2020 was removed for the five-fish daily bag limit for alligator gar at Falcon International Reservoir.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports.
May 12, 2020 (AUSTIN) — With peak boating season around the corner, Texans recreating on the coast are likely to spot iconic coastal birds like brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers and reddish egrets nesting in dense colonies, called rookeries, which can consist of thousands of birds and a multitude of other species on barrier islands and smaller islands in Texas bays. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging Texas boaters and anglers to watch out for these nesting birds while on the coast, so they aren’t disturbed during this sensitive time.
AUSTIN- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on Friday, May 15, 2020 until a still-to-be determined date in July.
AUSTIN – The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been rescheduled for Nov. 5-8 at Lake Fork in Quitman. The tournament was originally scheduled for June 5-9 but was moved back amid the ongoing public health situation that forced the postponement of the spring competition.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports.