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Fishing the white bass run is a spring tradition in Texas. From Feb. to May, white bass run upstream into rivers and creeks to spawn. You can access the action at highway and bridge crossings, parks, paddling trails, and from river access sites we lease for your use.
You may want to start in East Texas, where water flows are normal for this time of year. The Sabine River above Toledo Bend is currently the top fishery – reports are that the white bass has already moved up-river in large numbers. The Neches River above Lake Palestine is another fine spot to try – it's featured in our video Catching White Bass on the Neches River.
Your daily bag limit is 25 and minimum length is 10". Find all your regulation information in the Outdoor Annual. Don't miss the 7 white bass fishing areas detailed in our press release Annual White Bass Run Arrives in Texas. See you out there!
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Jan. through March is Legacy season, and anglers who reel in a 13+ lb. bass can loan it to us for the ShareLunker breeding and stocking program. Call the hotline at (903) 681-0550 to report your catch. You must have a valid Texas fishing license at the time.
The angler in the photo, Thaddeus Galey, is holding the 13.19 lb. Legacy Lunker he pulled from O.H. Ivie. But that's not the only lake giving them up! Anglers at 3 different lakes caught Legacy Lunkers on one day – see the details in our press release Anglers Deliver a ShareLunker Trifecta. Then check out all the beautiful big mommas in our video It's ShareLunker Season! #BiggerBetterBass.
Big bass fishing can be done from a pier, a kayak or the bank. Find our insider tips, including the 3 basic lures you'll need, in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Bass Without a Boat.
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Freshwater spearfishing can be an effective control of the population of invasive tilapia and suckermouth armored catfish – a common aquarium fish.
Watch our video, Fighting an Armored Invasion, to find out more about:
- How to use a polespear with a rapid reload.
- Bi-annual Polespear Tournaments, which include prizes and a fish fry.
- Year-round bounty program you can participate in for free.
- How these fish damage aquatic environments.
- Scientific research we've funded to enhance this control of armored catfish.
More than 14,000 armored catfish have been removed just from the San Marcos River. These fish are thought to have originally invaded our waterways by being released from aquariums.
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Saltwater fishing can be surprising – you never know what you might pull in, but your choice of lure can help you successfully target your fish of choice.
Check out the 7 saltwater flies considered necessary for coastal tackle boxes. When you're ready to try them out, get some great tips on coastal fly-casting from the magazine blog Saltwater Fishing on the Fly.
Pick up some pro tips for choosing saltwater lures and gear, including why hard water lures are preferred, in our video Fishing Tips: Saltwater Tacklebox.
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In 2023, anglers received more than 1,032 official records or awards for their catch through our Angler Recognition Program, including 73 new state records!
Among them is Ernst Toepfer V, who became the youngest Elite Angler in program history. He achieved this with Big Fish awards for 5 saltwater species, and he's 6 years old. Find out more about the winners of 2023 in our press release Anglers Catch Hundreds of Record-Setting Fish.
Join the fun yourself! Take a look at how to participate, familiarize yourself with the award categories, set your goals and go fish!
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A message from our sponsor:
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Fish Texas is made possible by the generous support of Toyota.
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