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Fishing Resources

  1. Magazine cover - fishing
    Freshwater Fishing Articles
  2. Magazine cover - bass fishing
    Bass Fishing Articles
  3. Magazine cover - salt water fishing
    Saltwater Fishing Articles
  4. Magazine cover - fly fishing
    Fly-fishing Articles

On the radio

  1. Passport to Texas
    Passport to Texas fishing broadcasts (podcasts)

Fishing links

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Texas Fishing Guide

Get to know your favorite freshwater fish species. Experts have provided a special, free look into Texas’ most popular fish - including species descriptions (with top quality color illustrations), where to fish and how to catch them in this exclusive feature in the Texas Parks & Wildlife app!

▶For a unique interactive experience, download our free app. Apple iOS available now. Android to follow very soon.



Texas fishing

When you are looking for great fishing stories from TP&W magazine, you can start here. Fishing articles are organized into four groups. General fishing information will be found on this page, but species-specific articles can be found in Freshwater (white bass, stripers, hybrids, panfish, etc.); Bass (largemouth, spotted, Guadalupe and smallmouth); Saltwater; and Fly-fishing. Use the links on the left to go to the sections you want.

adult helping child fish from bank

General Fishing Articles

Nice Catch: Angling the Dog Days

Late summer brings fishing for redfish, stripers and largemouth bass.

Nice Catch: Summer Breeze

Too hot for fishing in Texas? Never!

Nice Catch: Saltwater Sampling

Redfish, snapper and snook abound on the Texas coast.

Nice Catch: Warm Water Bonanza

Catch lots of bass or head to the coast for tarpon.

Nice Catch: Fish on the Fly

April brings bass, walleye and catfish for Texas anglers.

Making a Splash

Amateur anglers compete for $1 million in prizes in Sam Rayburn big bass derby.

Nice Catch: Spring Spawn Success

Warming weather means big fish in shallower waters.

Nice Catch: Dead-Sticking Season

Winter brings opportunities for stripers on Lake Texoma.

First Catch

There's no feeling like hooking your first fish. read more

Restoring the Guadalupe Bass

The 'state' of Texas' state fish has improved from dire to hopeful. read more

Crappie Day on Caddo

Of fish, ghosts and trees with knees. read more

At Issue by Carter Smith: Dads and Fishing

TPWD works to support family fishing. read more

Hooked in High School

Competitive fishing helps students excel and builds strong family bonds. read more

Take Me to the River

TPWD helps anglers get access to fish’s favorite stomping grounds. read more

Legend, Lore & Legacy: Creme of the Crop

A transplanted Texan changed bass fishing forever with one plastic worm. read more

Skill Builder: The Perfect Cast

Practice makes perfect when you’re in pursuit of fish. read more

A Stamp for Fish

Fund has raised $60 million in 10 years for hatcheries and stocking. read more

Skill Builder: Kayak Fishing Kickstart

Quietly stalk the best spots from the comfort of a kayak. read more

Skill Builder: To the Bone

There’s more than one way to fillet a fish. read more

Hot on Fishing

‘Electric’ lakes generate warm water for great cold-weather outings. read more

The Cat's Meow

With abundant supply and new research, Texas may become a top destination for catfishing. read more

Gone Fishing

Family fishing vacations offer an elusive reward — time to just hang out together.

Family togetherness and an opportunity to fish — two prime ingredients for a memorable spring or summer vacation. Success depends on recognizing your family’s preferences and planning to suit them. Some families like a leisurely jaunt to distant locations, while others want to get there quickly. Likewise, some prefer isolated spots with rugged conditions, while others feel they can’t leave modern conveniences behind. Luckily, a state as large as Texas offers something for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the top family-friendly freshwater fishing destinations in the Lone Star State.

read more

Angler Inspires Texans With Fish-a-Day Quest

On April Fool’s Day 2011, Keith Miller set out on what some might call a fool’s errand. He proposed to catch a fish every day for a year.

Miller figured he had a fighting chance. He’d done it once before, without fanfare, as a purely personal challenge. This time, he chose to tell the world and invite the public to share the adventure. The idea was to generate some buzz around his favorite sport and encourage others — especially children — to give it a try.

read more

Skill Builder: The Real Deal about Reels

Because of the demands of daily life, many of us can go fishing only a few times a year, so our equipment sits for long periods of time. Sometimes we forget the “end of trip” maintenance that will keep our equipment going long and strong.

With the spring season approaching, take a few minutes to make sure your gear is in good working order. Here are some essential tips.

read more

Skill Builder: Angling Etiquette

Although no one likes fishing in a crowd, having company on the water is just a fact of fishing life. However, there are steps every angler should take to make sure everyone has a safe, productive and enjoyable day on the water. Whether you’re fishing a lake, bay or river, basic angling etiquette is the best way to avoid problems and ensure a pleasant angling outing.

read more

Fishing Hot Spots in State Parks

It’s fun, it’s free, and you don’t need a fishing license.

If Texas state parks don’t rank high on your list of favorite fishing spots, think again.

No matter what species of freshwater fish you seek, state parks offer some of the best fishing in Texas. And, you don’t even need a license to fish within the boundaries of a state park.

More than 70 state parks participate in the Family Fishing Celebration. See The Free Fishing in State Parks website for details, including information on which parks loan fishing tackle or host special fishing events.

The next best thing to a good fishing hole is inside information on how to fish it. TPWD park managers and freshwater fisheries biologists gave their top picks for state park fishing and shared some tips for success. I’ll profile some hotspots and give brief information on others. For more detailed information, including fishing tips, visit Recreational Fishing on the TPWD website.

read more

Weighty Matters

It's not a record fish until a certified scale says so.

The bend in your rod makes it clear you've hooked a big fish. Once you've landed it, your handheld scale confirms what you suspect: It's a potential new state record. After the obligatory high-fives and photos, you release the fish to be caught again another day.

As the fish disappears into the depths, you get a sinking feeling. Only you and your fishing partner know what the scale read - and it's never been certified as accurate. Did you just blow your chance at getting your name in the record book?

read more

City Fish

Frequent stockings keep fishing hot in urban areas.

Don’t you wish there were well-stocked ponds close to your home where your family could go fishing — and catch fish? For seven urban areas in Texas, there are, and if TPWD biologists are successful in expanding the current program, anyone living in a major city in Texas can have this wish granted.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks channel catfish and, in winter months, rainbow trout, into eight urban lakes in order to provide close-to-home, family-friendly fishing for nearby residents.

read more

Giant Salvinia Threatens East Texas Reservoirs

One of the world’s most noxious aquatic weeds has invaded one of Texas’ foremost largemouth bass fisheries and is poised to attack another.

Even the name of the plant is sinister: Salvinia molesta, commonly known as giant salvinia. Under optimum conditions this floating fern, a native of South America, can double in size weekly. Its growth on Toledo Bend Reservoir gives a clue to its aggressiveness. In 2003 it covered 124 acres on the lake; in 2004 it spread over 3,070 acres despite ongoing herbicide treatments by both Texas and Louisiana. Sam Rayburn Reservoir may be the next target.

read more

More stories:

Growing Fish Food

Don't Dump That Aquarium

Hungry Hordes to the Rescue

Golden Mystery: A Killer Lurks in Texas Waters

Hatching A New Hatchery

The Electronic Angler

Life Jackets

Troubles with Trebles

Freshwater Fishes of Texas

Camp Fish

Skill Builder: Freeing Snagged Lures

Skill Builder: Tackle Box Basics

Neighborhood Fishin’

Skill Builder: Knot for Reel

Skill Builder: Rigging a Fishing Kayak

Skill Builder: Ready, Set, Hookk

Skill Builder: Green Around the Gills

Skill Builder: Think Like a Fish

Skill Builder: What’s in a Name?

 

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Fishing Forecast 2015

How's the fishing? Our experts give the outlook for freshwater and saltwater angling in this exclusive, digital-only magazine extra.

For a unique interactive experience, download the free iPad / iPhone app.

▶ Online versions: HTML5 for mobile | Desktop



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Texas Fishing 2014

How's the fishing? Our experts give the outlook for freshwater and saltwater angling in this Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine digital extra: Texas Fishing 2014.

Freshwater forecast | Saltwater forecast |
Fishing through the year | Invasive mussels | Freezing and cooking fish



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Texas Fishing 2013

Are you ready for spring? Find out the outlook for fishing in this Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine digital extra: Texas Fishing 2013.

Freshwater forecast | Saltwater forecast | White bass
Coasting for trout | Fish recipes | Bass rigs

HTML5 version | Flash version



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Texas Fishing 2012

Do you want to know how the drought will affect fishing? Find out in Texas Fishing 2012, a Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine digital extra. You'll find our fishing forecast, plus articles on big bass, fish attractors, invasive plants and more. It's our first digital-only offering. Check it out!



Fishing 101 on video

 

Getting Started

 

Tackle Box and Supplies

 

Bait and Lures

 

Basic Gear Assembly

 

Safety for You and the Fish

 

How to Cast

 

How to Clean and Store Your Catch

 

Don't Mess with Texas Fishing

 

Texas Freshwater Fishing

 

Texas Saltwater Fishing

 

Fishing with Kids

 

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