Passport to Texas

Paddlefish

Conservation: Creating Flow for Paddlefish Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With a huge mouth and long paddle-shaped snout, the prehistoric paddlefish is a threatened species in Texas. In water systems like Big Cypress Bayou, their decline followed river modifications and dam construction [for Lake O’ the Pines reservoir] which altered in-stream flows necessary for their survival.

18—The in-stream flows that are released from the Lake O’ the Pines reservoir are critical for maintaining habitat within the river, as well as for initiating spawning conditions paddlefish need to reproduce.

Kevin Mayes, an aquatic biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, says after years of study and restoring key features of the Big Cypress system, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Caddo Lake Institute, TPW and others, are returning this “big river” species to the ecosystem.

16—Part of that [work] was identifying that paddlefish require spring spawning pulses to support their reproduction So, we integrated those pulses into a flow regime that we call “in-stream flow building blocks” for the Big Cypress Creek.

This spring, researchers plan to release up to 50 radio-tagged paddlefish into the newly restored system, monitoring their movements, and making adjustments to flows based on the data.

The Wildlife and Sport fish Restoration Program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Watch a video featuring 2011 winners. Lots of great talent!

Art/Fish: Enter to State Fish Art Contest Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Budding artists [and fisheries biologists] take note: draw or paint any recognized state fish, include an essay on the species, and you might just win a great prize.

14—The Toyota Texas Bass Classic sponsors this, and they give us money for prizes.

Zoeann Stinchcomb, with the Texas Freshwater Fisheries center in Athens, says the competition is open to Kindergarten through twelfth graders.

14—This is one of my favorite times of the year, once we start getting the entries in, because I don’t think most people realize how many talented students we have as far as artwork goes—it’s amazing.

Students must also submit an essay [K-3rd grade are exempt] about the fish they draw in order for judges to consider their entry.

16—The idea on that is they have to do a little but of research about the fish that they’re going to be representing. And, they have to be able to tell us something about that fish: either the conservation status, the biology or ecology of that fish… And they can even put it in story form.

Deadline to submit an entry is March 31. Find contest details at www.statefishart.com.

That’s our show… with support from the Sport fish and Wildlife Restoration program…providing funding for management of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

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

How to filet a fish.

Fishing: Freshwater Feast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Some anglers like to reel in largemouth bass for the photo-op—or to donate them to the sharelunker program—and release them back into the lake. Then there are anglers who prefer to eat what they catch.

06— There are a couple that really fit into that category, and that would be catfish and hybrid striped bass.

Larry Hodge, with the TFFC in Athens, compiled a 2014 freshwater fishing forecast for the digital fishing issue of TPW magazine.

38— Cat fishing is available almost everywhere in Texas, because these fish are very adaptable, and can live in almost any water body large or small. Lake Wright Patman over in far NE Texas is good for cat fishing, so is Lake Fork, so is Lake Tawakoni. And Tawakoni is really a great lake to fish if you like to eat fish, because it has not only catfish, but also hybrid stripers. And those are a mix between stripe bass and white bass; and they’re really good fighters and really good on the plate as well.

Find Larry Hodge’s complete freshwater fishing forecast for 2014 in the digital fishing issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

Also in that issue find tips on freezing and cooking your catch.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series…For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Largemouth bass for the Sharelunker program

Fishing: Finding a New Place to Fish Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If your favorite lake is short on water, and reaching the fish is nearly impossible, Larry Hodge is here to help.

09— We are trying to encourage people with this fishing forecast to take a look at other fishing locations in their area.

Hodge, with the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, compiled a 2014 freshwater fishing forecast. Find it in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine’s digital fishing issue this month. In his article, you’ll discover where Texas’ most popular sport fish—largemouth bass – is plentiful and ready to take your bait.

48— There are a number of lakes across the state that are going to offer good largemouth bass fishing this year. Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo is a constant level lake, so it’s a place you can always go to catch fish. Lake Fork is hot right now. It has just produced its third Toyota Sharelunker of the season. Lake Palestine is another east Texas lake that has plenty of water and lots of bass. Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Kurth, Nacogdoches – all those east Texas lakes are in good shape. And one that I’d really like to mention is Lake Naconiche; it’s a new lake near Nacogdoches. It was built specifically for recreation by the county, and has some really good bass fishing coming on.

Tomorrow, we tell you about Texas lakes with fish you’ll want to take home for dinner.

The WSFR Program supports our series…For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Lake Travis, Austin, TX. 46.52 feet below normal due to drought.

Fishing: Drought and the Freshwater Forecast 2014 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Low water levels this year may have a negative effect on freshwater fishing in Texas.

15— Water levels, number one, affect whether boat ramps are accessible, and also affect where the fish will be when you’re fishing. And as the water level changes, anglers sometimes have to learn new places to go to find fish.

On the other hand when water levels rise, anglers may find fish where they had not been before, says Larry Hodge, with the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Unfortunately, drought conditions continue in Texas.

18— When access becomes impossible because of dropping water levels, anglers may have to find a different lake to fish. And this is kind of hard for most people because research shows that most anglers have a favorite lake where they like to fish. They consider it kind of their home lake.

And if fishing is not available, many of these folks just don’t fish.

14— We are trying to encourage people to take a look at other fishing locations in their area that they might get out on the water and catch some fish, and maybe learn a new favorite fishing hole.

Larry Hodge compiled a freshwater fishing forecast for 2014, available in the digital fishing issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Look for it at tpwmagazine.com.

That’s our show for today .. Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram. For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.