DEL RIO— Devils River State Natural Area has been designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), making it the only Dark Sky Sanctuary in Texas. As the sixth International Dark Sky Sanctuary to receive the title, Devils River SNA is recognized as a one of the darkest and most ecologically fragile sites in the world.
AUSTIN – Angler Zach Sypert of Bedford caught the first Legacy Class largemouth bass of the 2019 Toyota ShareLunker season out of Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth Jan. 26. The 14.57 pound, 27 inch largemouth bass is the second 13 pound or larger Toyota ShareLunker to have been caught from the lake in the last two years and outweighs the previous water body record set in 2018 by almost two pounds.
LA PORTE, TX—The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is adding more than 23-acres to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site bordering on the Houston Ship Channel.
AUSTIN— The Texas State Parks reservation system will be down for maintenance starting at 11 p.m., Fri. Jan. 25. All advanced reservations will be unavailable during this time. Maintenance is expected to be completed in less than a week.
ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame committee announced Alan Haynes of Tyler, the former C.E.O and President of The Sportster Inc. retail sporting goods chain and lifelong sportsman, will be inducted into the hall of fame in 2019.
AUSTIN –The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is expanding public fishing and paddling opportunities on the Llano River with four public access sites opening just in time for winter trout stocking this month.
AUSTIN— The chilly start to the New Year did little to discourage the 3,938 visitors that hit the trail at a Texas State Park for a First Day Hike on Jan. 1. Texas had the fourth highest participation in the country with the largest number of parks hosting events.
AUSTIN – At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter their 8 pound and larger bass for prizes, recognition, and to help the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department promote and enhance bass fishing in Texas. On Dec. 31, staff wrapped up the first year of the revamped program with a total of 380 anglers entering 486 “lunker” bass from 89 lakes across the state.
AUSTIN— Hit the trails at a state park on New Year’s Day and participate in a First Day Hike. As part of the national initiative, Texas State Parks will be hosting a variety of programs for the whole family to enjoy.
LA PORTE — Operation Full Steam Ahead, the final phase of repairs, cleaning and safety upgrades to the third deck of the Battleship Texas is scheduled to conclude Saturday, January 5. To commemorate the grand re-opening, the Battleship Texas State Historic Site will host a ribbon cutting and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff will be leading special tours of the newly opened areas. In honor of the ship’s 104th “berth” year, the first 104 people will be granted free admission.