TPWD News Releases

Official Media Advisory: TPWD to Release 1 Billionth Fish into Texas Waters July 10

TPWD Completes Groundbreaking Bass Tracking Study

TYLER – Biologists from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) have completed an innovative study that tracked the movement and behaviors of largemouth bass at Toledo Bend Reservoir and Lake Fork. The goal of the multi-year initiative, which launched in 2020, was to learn more about fish behavior and help anglers be more effective when they target largemouth bass.

TPWD to Deploy Materials for New Artificial Reef Site in Sabine

SEA RIM STATE PARK — Texas Parks and Wildlife’s (TPWD) Artificial Reef Program, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Friends of Sabine Reef, is adding a fourth artificial reef site to the Sabine Pass area on June 27 and June 28.

El Día de Pesca Gratis en Texas está programado para el 1 de junio

AUSTIN – La tradición de Texas del Día de Pesca Gratis regresa este sábado, 1 de junio, en cualquier cuerpo de agua pública de todo el estado. Cada año, el primer sábado de junio, los Texanos y nuestros visitantes pueden empacar sus equipos para pesca, preparar sus cañas de pescar e ir a pescar en cualquier cuerpo de agua pública del estado sin una licencia de pesca.

Free Fishing Day in Texas Scheduled for June 1

AUSTIN – The Texas tradition of Free Fishing Day returns this Saturday, June 1, at public waterways across the state. Each year on the first Saturday in June, Texans and our visitors can pack their tackle boxes, get their fishing poles ready and go fish on any public waterway in the state without a fishing license.

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

AUSTIN – As we approach Memorial Day and summertime, Texans throughout the state will head to the water for fun and recreation. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges boaters and paddlers who enjoy the waterways to do their part to protect the Texas lakes we love from aquatic invasive species.

Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1

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

Three Texas Students Garner National Fish Art Contest Honors

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. – Three Texas students were recently honored with awards in Wildlife Forever’s National Fish Art Contest.

Toyota ShareLunker Program Wraps Up Another Outstanding Collection Season

ATHENS – The 2024 Toyota ShareLunker program was full speed ahead and produced an exceptional collection season for the fourth consecutive year.

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 Wednesday, May 15, until a still-to-be determined date in July. While the statutory opening date for the gulf season is July 15, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Coastal Fisheries Division will be sampling shrimp populations this summer to determine the optimum opening date. The Texas shrimp fishery is closed annually to allow brown shrimp to reach a larger and more valuable size prior to harvest.