Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Largemouth bass is hands down the favorite sport fish among anglers in Texas

04— Today in Texas about 50% of our anglers say they prefer largemouth bass.

Dave Terre, chief of inland fisheries research and management, says another fish is gaining on largemouth.

05—About 20 percent of anglers prefer fishing catfish in Texas.

That’s right – the humble catfish. Catfish are better able than largemouth bass to survive and thrive when water levels are low, such as during drought.

06—We’re trying to study catfish more intensively to determine how we can make fishing for catfish even better.

Over the next couple of years Texas Parks and Wildlife will develop management plans for catfish, and ask for public input. Until then, grab a rod and reel and cast for cats.

15— Most people in Texas – when they think of a fish, they think of a catfish. I think that’s the honest truth. Bass get more notoriety, but catfish are very important and I think a perfect fish to start new anglers on fishing, and to get a new generation of Texas interested in fishing.

Lots of folks are interested in eating catfish, too. So Dave Terre says as the agency develops fisheries across the state, it’s ensuring opportunities for the harvest of decent sized catfish for your dining pleasure.

The Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and funds fisheries research in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.