Jan. 23, 2006

Science Provides Foundation for Saltwater Fishing Regs

AUSTIN, Texas — It was a warm November evening in 1975 when a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department coastal fisheries crew set the first gill net in Matagorda Bay.

Gulf Council Seeks Input on Reef Fish, Shrimp Proposals

TAMPA, Fla. — The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will host a public meeting in Texas later this month, seeking input from commercial fishermen, sport anglers and others on proposed regulations designed to better protect reef fish such as red snapper and better manage shrimp stocks and control shrimp bycatch.

Jan. 16, 2006

Federal Grant to Restore Galveston Bay Rookery Island

HOUSTON — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a federal grant to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for a more than $1.2 million project to restore wetlands on North Deer Island, the largest bird rookery island in the Galveston Bay system

Jan. 9, 2006

Flat Out Fishing Offers Tips for Novice and Expert Anglers

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host a very special event to help Coastal Bend anglers start the new year with an edge. The third annual Flat Out Fishing event kicks off at 8 a.m., Sat., Jan. 28, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The event will be held at the university’s Science and Technology Building in Room 104.

Jan. 6, 2006

Proposal Would Move Game Warden Training to PAL Ranch

HAMILTON, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public input on a proposal to move the Texas Game Warden Training Center from central Austin to the Police Activities League Ranch in Hamilton County. A public meeting to explain the plan and take public comments has been set for 7 p.m. Jan. 12 in Hamilton at the county district courtroom.

Jan. 4, 2006

Lonestar Aquafarms Donates Red Drum for Stocking in Lakes Braunig, Calaveras and Fairfield

John Turner, General Partner/Manager of Lonestar Aquafarms, Ltd., a red fish farm outside Palacios in Jackson County, is donating about 30,000 red drum to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) again this year. The three quarter pound fish, worth between $30,000 and $50,000, will be stocked today in three power plant lakes for recreational fishing. The lakes scheduled to receive the fish are Lake Fairfield outside Fairfield in East Texas, Lake Braunig and Lake Calaveras outside San Antonio.

Jan. 3, 2006

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 February 25 for induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Dec. 29, 2005

Texas Schools, Nonprofits, Cities Receive CO-OP Grants

AUSTIN, Texas — Nine Community Outdoor Outreach Program grant applicants in communities across Texas will ring in the New Year with fresh funding to help more Texas children experience environmental education and outdoor recreational activities.

Dec. 22, 2005

TPWD’s Top 10 News Stories of 2005

EDITORS NOTE: In this issue of TPWD News, we forsake our usual format for the most part and provide a summary of the top news stories of 2005. Details about these topics can be found in the department’s online news archive. Please note that TPWD will not be distributing weekly news during the coming holidays. News distribution will resume on Jan. 16, 2006. Happy Holidays!

Pro Angler Tournament on Lake Fork To Benefit TPWD Programs

ATHENS, Texas — Professional bass anglers love Texas. Many feel the state has the best-managed inland fishery in the nation.