The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will close red snapper fishing in state waters on Nov. 20, at 11:59 p.m. until Jan. 2024. Federal waters remain closed until the summer. “While we are disappointed to close state waters earlier than we had hoped, the pattern of prolonged federal seasons highlights the success of Texas’ state-managed red snapper fishery,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division director. “This year, anglers had a…
Per regulation, the Texas commercial and recreational public oyster harvest season opens Nov. 1 and closes April 30, 2024. In an effort to protect and restore oyster reefs showing signs of environmental stress, many shellfish harvest areas will be closed to fishing at the beginning of this season. “Working in partnership with stakeholders, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department continues to prioritize the importance of healthy oyster reefs for both commercial…
Current-year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) expire at the end of August. Licenses for the 2023-24 season go on sale Aug. 15. Texans purchase more than 2.7 million hunting and fishing licenses annually, directly funding a multitude of conservation efforts and recreational opportunities. Some of the many projects made possible by license sales include fish stocking, wildlife management, habitat restoration, public hunting leases, river…
Texas State Parks is competing against three other state park systems to receive 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Presenters for the award are the National Recreation and Park Association along with the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. “I’m proud to have the hard work of our Texas State Park staff recognized for building one of the best state park systems in…
Memorial Day weekend is here, meaning Texans will be heading out to the water for holiday celebrations. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges boaters and paddlers who enjoy water recreation to do their part to protect Texas lakes from aquatic invasive species. “Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to boating season in Texas, and while we want everyone to have a great time, we also want them to…
Since 2000, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Conservation License Plate Program has helped generate funds to support state parks, outdoor recreation, wildlife management and research, and conservation projects in Texas. The largemouth bass license plate is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. The plate has thus far generated $893,005 for 93 conservation projects through TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division. Sales of the largemouth bass license plate directly fund fisheries habitat, access…
The City of Hidalgo, using grant funding provided through a partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has completed a series of projects to improve fish habitat and fishing access at Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Channel. The site is directly adjacent to the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center. This project is one of 21 receiving funds through the Habitat and Angler Access Program. The initiative began in 2021…
The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will reopen 30 minutes after sunset on July 15. Biologists evaluate the biological, social and economic impact when deciding the opening date to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public. In making its determination, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Coastal Fisheries Division used the best available data from samples collected during routine trawls and…
The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens June 1 with new federal regulations via the DESCEND Act now in effect as of January 2022. The DESCEND Act requires all commercial and recreational anglers to possess a venting tool or a rigged descending device on their boat while fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, “Research shows…
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, through the Texas Nature Trackers program, invites Texans to participate in the seventh annual City Nature Challenge April 29 through May 2. This global community-based scientific effort, co-organized by San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, invites current and aspiring citizen scientists of all ages and backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi…