March 2nd, 2018
Creating fish habitat in aging reservoirs.
This is Passport to Texas
Most freshwater fishing in Texas happens in reservoirs.
So we want to make sure we conserve the reservoirs and these fishing opportunities by restoring habitat.
Marcos de Jesus is with For Texas Parks and Wildlife Inland Fisheries. On next week’s For Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS, the agency and its partners renew underwater habitat in reservoirs for better angling.
We can always supplement the woody debris, the vegetation, or any type of cover that fish need by cutting something like cedar trees. We can also use artificial habitat that different commercial producers make. These things are put together to mimic trees, that creates cover.
Although TPW has the expertise…
These projects can become expensive and they are labor intensive so we need partnerships to actually get these great projects on the water.
Partnerships with groups like Friends of Reservoirs.
Friends of Reservoirs is a great group. And these groups are usually composed of stakeholders that have the common interest of conservation and fishing. So they team up with Texas Parks and Wildlife; we do some great projects around the state.
See reservoir renovation in action next week on the For Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS. Check your local listings.
If you want to get involved and help TPWD with conservation initiatives, feel free to call local district biologist. And get involved and help us in conservation. We can’t do it alone.
The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.
That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Conservation, Fishing, Freshwater, Freshwater Fish, SFWR, TPWD TV | Comments Off on TPW TV — Building Habitat for Fish
March 1st, 2018
Learning to cook wild game and fish at Central Market Cooking Schools
This is Passport to Texas
Every other month, Texas Parks and Wildlife teams up with Central Market Cooking Schools statewide to offer classes on wild game and fish cookery.
The next class is Tuesday, March 13.
Why do we do it? The reason is multi-faceted. We want to introduce folks to the wide variety of healthy, sustainable and delicious native proteins available in Texas.
We also want to let people know that hunting and fishing needn’t be scary, difficult or costly. Plus, if you want to know where your food comes from, there’s no doubt when you harvest it yourself.
And, of course, we want to let everyone know how Texas Parks and Wildlife works to conserve and manage species and habitat throughout the state for all Texans. That’s why in each class we have a Texas Parks and Wildlife representative on hand to talk about the agency and answer your questions.
The March 13th Central Market / Texas Parks and Wildlife fish and game cooking class takes place in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano and Southlake.
This month’s menu: Crawfish Etouffee with Bacon; Roasted Prosciutto-wrapped Red Fish with Basil-Parsley Pesto; and Venison & Bacon Sausage with Red Pepper & Rosemary.
Find registration information at passporttotexas.org.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti
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Posted in Central Market Wild Game and Fish Cooking Classes, Food | Comments Off on What’s for Dinner? Game and Fish!
February 28th, 2018
Texas Independence Hall
This is Passport to Texas
March 2 is an important date in Texas history. It’s when Texas declared its independence from Mexico. And each year we celebrate where it all began: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park and Historic Site.
The Texas Independence Day Celebration is an annual two-day living history event; this year it’s on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4.
It’s when we celebrate the day when 59 delegates met in 1836 to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836.
This admission-free event features live music, food, demonstrations, living history presentations, kids’ activities, and more.
Historical reenactors set up an accurate Texas Army camp where visitors may wander freely among the tents to learn how the soldiers and their families lived in 1836.
During that weekend, admission fees are waived for the site’s attractions. Admission to the grounds, on-site shuttles and parking are also free.
Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is halfway between Houston and Austin. Come out and celebrate with us on March 3rd and 4th. Find more details on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.
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
Posted in History, State Parks, Texas Independence | Comments Off on Celebrate the Birth of Texas, Where it Began
February 27th, 2018
Big Blue Cat, Lake Tawakoni. Image: Capt. Michael Littlejohn.
This is Passport to Texas
Largemouth bass is hands down the favorite sport fish among anglers in Texas
Today in Texas about 50% of our anglers say they prefer largemouth bass.
Dave Terre, chief of inland fisheries research and management, says one fish is gaining on largemouth.
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.
We’re trying to study catfish more intensively to determine how we can make fishing for catfish even better.
Texas Parks and Wildlife developed a management to guide the future of this sport fish in Texas.
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.
Texas is home to at least 10 species of catfish. Three provide important fishing opportunities to anglers: Channel, Blue, and Flathead Catfish. We have a link to the catfish management plan at passporttotexas.org.
The Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and funds fisheries research in Texas.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Fishing, SFWR | Comments Off on Are Catfish the Future of Freshwater Fishing?
February 26th, 2018
Catching Blue Cats in Lake Waco
This is Passport to Texas
An old timey freshwater fish is getting new attention. What is it?
A traditional fish that’s been caught by anglers for many, many years.
That’s more of a clue than an answer, Dave Terre. Dave is chief of inland fisheries research and management. Here’s another clue: Parks and Wildlife produces and then stocks this fish in Texas water bodies.
Yes, we do produce many, many catfish in our state fish hatchery system in Texas.
Catfish! But you knew that, right?
As a matter of fact, we stock literally thousands of advanced size channel catfish in small ponds located throughout the state. One of those programs is our neighborhood Fishin’ program, where we’re stocking every two weeks adult channel catfish 12-inches or larger, into some 14 water bodies across the state to offer up great fishing opportunities for people who reside in urban areas of our state, which is definitely a group that we would like to reach out to.
To the original point: serious anglers are rediscovering catfish…but why?
Texas is changing. We’re going to be experiencing more drought conditions in Texas; and what we know about catfish is they are able to deal with fluctuating water levels better than largemouth bass, which have been – and will continue to be – a popular sport fish in Texas.
With heavy stocking and a new eye toward management catfish is a traditional species for changing times.
The Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and funds fisheries research in Texas.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Fishing, SFWR | Comments Off on Anglers Discover a New Favorite in an Old Fish
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