Nov. 27, 2012

Illegal gill netting increasing along lower coast

AUSTIN — With more than a month left in 2012, state game wardens already are looking at a record number of seizures of illegal gill nets and long lines in Texas and U.S. waters along the lower coast.

Nov. 19, 2012

Winter Trout Stocking Program Locations Announced

AUSTIN – For an inexpensive, entry-level fishing experience the entire family can enjoy, it doesn’t get much easier than winter rainbow trout fishing in Texas.

Nov. 15, 2012

New Program Aims to Make Record Fish Easier to Weigh

ATHENS—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program is building a statewide network of Official Weigh Stations that have certified scales and are willing to weigh angler’s catches in their local service areas. The new initiative is designed to make it easier for Texas anglers to find certified scales and submit their record catches.

Nov. 12, 2012

Nominations Sought for Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

ATHENS, Texas — Individuals or organizations that have made a lasting contribution to freshwater fishing in Texas may be nominated through December 31 for induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Nov. 9, 2012

Group Recommends Ways to Protect Texas Seagrass, Reduce Coastal User Conflicts

AUSTIN – An advisory group of fishing, boating and conservation interests has made nine recommendations to protect seagrass and five to reduce user conflicts along the Texas coast, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners were told in a briefing here this week.

Drought Slowly Taking Toll on Lakes Brownwood and Coleman

ATHENS—Lakes Brownwood and Coleman are historically known for consistent and decent largemouth bass fishing, where anglers could expect to catch a bunch of small bass with a few keepers along the way and even an occasional big bass. But the current downhill slide of water level, dating back to 2007, is beginning to take a toll on these bass populations based on recent electrofishing surveys, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s standard method of collecting information on numbers and sizes of largemouth bass in a lake.

Nov. 8, 2012

Game Warden Field Notes, Nov. 8, 2012

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

Game Warden named Texas Wildlife Officer of the Year

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Danny Kelso has been recognized as Texas Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International.

Oct. 22, 2012

NBC Sports Network to Broadcast Toyota Texas Bass Classic Nationwide Nov. 11

ATHENS—More than 75 million homes will be able to watch this year’s Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) when it airs on NBC Sports Network November 11. Considered the world championship of bass fishing, the TTBC event was held in Conroe September 28-30 and featured three days of country music and a barbecue cook-off championship.

Oct. 17, 2012

Largemouth Bass at Lake Sweetwater: Feast or Famine?

ATHENS — Lake Sweetwater, the small—and shrinking—emerald jewel of West Texas lakes, is loaded with largemouth bass. However, a dropping water level and declining bluegill numbers could signal trouble ahead for Sweetwater’s bass.