May 13, 2013

NFWF Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund to Receive $203 Million for Texas to Restore Gulf Coast Natural Resources

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13 – Texas will receive $203 million over a five-year period to restore Gulf coast natural resources impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced today.  NFWF will administer the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund involving $2.544 billion from plea agreements resolving certain criminal cases arising from the 2010 explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

As Temperatures Rise Lake Placid Catfishing Heating Up

ATHENS—As temperatures begin to rise throughout the south-central Texas region, so should the catfish bite at Lake Placid. Lake Placid is a small 214-acre impoundment located on the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe County one-half mile southwest of Seguin. Primary access to the reservoir is located below the I-10 bridge.

Free Food, Fishing to Highlight National Fishing Day at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

ATHENS, Texas—The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens will kick off National Fishing and Boating Week June 1 by making a family fishing trip affordable with free admission for kids 12 and under plus free fishing for the whole family.

May 9, 2013

Lake Conroe Conservation Efforts Receive State, National Recognition

ATHENS—Lake Conroe has suffered more than its share of ups and downs over the years—pun intended.

May 7, 2013

Gulf Shrimp Season Closing May 23

AUSTIN — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on May 23 until a still-to-be determined time in July.

May 1, 2013

Toyota ShareLunker Season Ends with Mixed Results

ATHENS—The Toyota ShareLunker program received a below-average number of entries during the season just ended, but the number of lakes producing 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass continued to increase, and investments in DNA testing showed promising results.

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Announces 2013 Winners

ATHENS—The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, headquarters for the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest, has announced the Texas division winners for 2013.

April 23, 2013

Texas and Louisiana Fisheries Agencies File Joint Lawsuit Challenging Red Snapper Emergency Rule

AUSTIN – Late yesterday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and its commission joined together to file a lawsuit in United States District Court in Brownsville, Texas challenging an emergency regulation enacted by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that, if left in place, would allow the NMFS regional administrator to significantly reduce the recreational red snapper season in federal waters off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana.

April 22, 2013

Cats Are in the ‘Hoods

ATHENS—Stocking of keeper-size channel catfish has begun for the 15 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes in Texas and should be completed by this coming weekend.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 4 at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

ATHENS—The Athens community will celebrate the joint heritage of Texas and Mexico with a day of dance, food and fishing at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center on Saturday, May 4.