Passport to Texas

Black drum ready to be filleted or frozen.

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This is Passport to Texas

Like to fish? Then you should know this Saturday, June fourth, is Free Fishing Day in Texas.

People don’t need a fishing license to fish on that first Saturday in June.

Great news, right? Texas Parks and Wildlife aquatic training specialist, Caleb Harris, says everyone can fish free in state parks with fishing opportunities any day, but Free Fishing Day opens all public waters for your angling pleasure. Harris says when you reel in a fish you intend to keep, there is a humane way to dispatch your catch before it becomes dinner.

Most people say that the kindest way to care for a fish that you want to keep [for dinner] is to put it on ice as fast as possible.

The cold temperature, says Harris, causes the fish’s bodily functions to slow down…way down.

The ice will anesthetize it; it’ll be virtually painless at that cold temperature; the fish will get cold and will slowly pass. So, yeah. If you have a boat, and you have the ability to bring an ice chest, you know—catch the fish—if you intend to keep it, make sure it’s a legal size, and put it right on ice.

When you get the fish home, you’ll want to immediately filet it and either cook it up right away, or freeze it. Find a video on how to filet fish, and a link to information on the best way to freeze fish at passporttotexas.org.

The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Where the pavement ends–that’s where you’ll find Texas Game Wardens.

Ask a Game Warden: Jurisdictional Differences Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas’ Ask a Game Warden

Game Wardens and State Troopers are state peace officers; although assigned to specific areas, they enforce laws and regulations wherever needed statewide.

Sharon Cundiff of Williamson County contacted us to ask about the difference between Wardens’ and Troopers’ jurisdictional areas. We reached out to Game Warden Travis Porter, in Tarrant County, to help sort things out.

43—One of the main differences between State Troopers and Game Wardens are that Game Wardens have the added ability to enforce wildlife and natural resource rules and regulations throughout the state as well. Game Wardens are the law enforcement off the pavement. Most of the time, we get off the roadway, and that’s where we enforce most of our rules and regulations. Texas Law grants us the ability to enforce those laws anywhere wildlife lives, roams, or can be found—with a few limitations. These laws are designed so that we can enter private and/or public property to enforce hunting, water safety, natural resource laws and regulations, when the situation is called to do so. Game Wardens use these abilities to promote and regulate safety among those who are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the outdoors, and to help conserve natural resources for future generations.

Click on the Contact Us link at passporttotexas.org to submit your Ask a Game Warden question.

Lone Star Law featuring Texas Game Wardens airs on Animal Planet Thursdays at 9 p.m. CT.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation supports our series and helps keep Texas wild with the support of proud members across the state. Find out more at tpwf.org.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.