Fishing: proposed changes and survey




The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proposing fishing regulation changes that will affect both salt and freshwater anglers. Some of the most noteworthy include changes to harvest regulations for flounder and speckled trout, the rainbow trout fishery on the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake dam, and additional restrictions on the harvest of alligator gar during critical periods of spawning. Also on the calendar, TPWD is asking Lake Tawakoni catfish anglers to participate in a brief survey to determine opinions, characteristics and experiences of catfish anglers with emphasis on the blue catfish fishery. Signs and laminated posters promoting the survey have been distributed at boat ramps and businesses at Lake Tawakoni. The survey can be accessed online at: https://survey.tpwd.state.tx.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=ll13988. A printed copy of the survey is also available upon request. The survey will remain open through June 2014. Information from the survey will supplement sampling techniques designed to collect information on blue catfish in the lake and on the anglers who target them for recreation and consumption. Input from a broad spectrum of catfish anglers will help TPWD make informed management decisions for Lake Tawakoni's blue catfish fishery. Lake Tawakoni is renowned for the quality of its blue catfish fishery, attracting anglers in large numbers. In 2001, the Texas Legislature declared West Tawakoni the "Catfish Capital of Texas." Texas' catfish fisheries have been receiving greater attention from the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division as biologists work to develop a statewide catfish management plan. Results from this survey will help shape catfish management throughout Texas. A printed copy of the survey can be obtained by contacting Kevin Storey, 2122 Old Henderson Highway, Tyler, TX 75702; (903) 593-5077; [email protected]. The proposed regulation changes to Texas fishing can be found in the Feb. 21 edition of the Texas Register and on the TPWD website. Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted by phone or e-mail to Robert Macdonald (512) 389-4775; e-mail: [email protected], Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744. Comments may also be submitted through the department's internet web site after February 21 and at the following upcoming public meetings scheduled around the state. A listing of the public meetings can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/




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Lake Texoma Current Weather Alerts

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Lake Texoma Weather Forecast

Friday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 68

Friday Night

Rain Showers

Lo: 55

Saturday

Rain Showers

Hi: 56

Saturday Night

Rain Showers

Lo: 49

Sunday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 61

Sunday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 46

Monday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 67

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 57


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Water Level on 4/19: 615.53 (-1.47)



Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (Apr. 17)

GOOD. Water normal stain; 58 degrees; 1.53 feet below pool. Striped bass fishing is great drifting live shad around the islands or past the bridges near the rivers. Rain should finish off the spawn and look for bait on the banks with feeding fish near them. Top waters are working on sandy flats in 2-8 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are good on live shad along the bluffs on the banks in 2-4 feet of water. Also fair on spooks early and look for largemouth off the banks in 6-12 feet of water on main lake points near rocks. Catfish are fair on cut shad along the rocks in 30-45 feet of water. Drifting cut rough fish or gizzard shad in 5-10 feet of water near the river could produce a big fish after a rain with an inflow of dirty water. Crappie are good on brush piles in 12-18 feet of water on jigs using electronics to locate active fish working in and out of the brush. Look for spawners shallow with warmer temperatures in the forecast. Report by Jacob Orr, Guaranteed Guide Service Lake Texoma. Threadfin shad are spawning along the banks. Hybrid stripers are good on topwaters in the morning along rocky banks. Some days the egrets are working leading the way to fish. Some schooling activity under gulls. After the morning bite ends switch to swimbaits and Alabama rigs in 10-25 feet of water on the edges and dropoffs. This pattern should hold for the next 4-6 weeks while shad spawn near docks and banks. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

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