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 Weather Forecast

Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Hi: 79

Friday Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 68

Saturday

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Hi: 77

Saturday Night

Thunderstorms

Lo: 66

Sunday

Thunderstorms

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Monday

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Monday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 71


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Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (May 1)

GOOD. Water normal stain; 67 degrees; 0.33 feet below pool. Striped bass fishing is great on top waters early along rocky shorelines and sandy flats around coves. Watch for birds on the banks and fish the direction the birds are moving up and down the rocks. Live bait is still very effective fishing ledges and humps near the river channels in 35-45 feet of water. The shad spawn is on and catching will only get better. Crappie fishing is good near boat docks and on structure also using electronics to locate roaming fish in 12-15 feet of water. Glo and milk are colors of choice with a crappie nibble tip. Seeing females in the creeks 2-5 feet of water as well. Catfishing is getting better on cut shad and prepared baits anchored on ledges in 40-50 feet of water a few reels off the bottom near rocky banks. Slip cork with a cut shad down the bluffs are producing channel cats preparing to spawn as well. Bass fishing is good using top waters early, spooks or closed face glide baits and fish crawl baits later. Fish are roaming near the beds and hitting white chatter baits as well. Live shad down the bluffs are producing numbers with the occasional big fish off the rocks in 5-8 feet of water. Report by Jacob Orr, Guaranteed Guide Service Lake Texoma. Hybrid stripers are excellent with limits coming on topwaters along the bank early in the morning watching for Egrets. Then switch to swimbaits on flats and points in 10-20 feet of water. Shad are spawning along the banks. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

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