Spring White Bass Run | Legacy Lunkers Abound | Game Warden Field Notes | How to Do a Gear Check | Black Drum Recipe | and More!





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Are You Ready for the White Bass Run?
White bass being held, video link [ [link removed] ]

The white bass run is fast, light-tackle fishing at its best and maybe its easiest – a young angler was awarded the Rio Grande Water Body Record [ [link removed] ] this year when she caught a 1.2 lb., 13.6" white bass! 

Though fishing the run may seem like child's play, check out our tips on timing, lures and sites in the "Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine" story Till Your Arms Ache [ [link removed] ]. Looking for a way to get to the hot spots? Our leased public access program [ [link removed] ] allows you to access rivers across private land.

The white bass limit [ [link removed] ] is 25 per day with a 10" minimum length in most places. For the inside scoop on this year's best locations, see our press release Annual White Bass Run Looking Strong in East Texas [ [link removed] ]. Then watch one family having a blast fishing for white bass in our video Fun on the Run [ [link removed] ]. We'll see you out there!  

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Chef’s Easy Backyard Black Drum Recipe

Chef preparing black drum, video link [ [link removed] ]

Black drum [ [link removed] ] is found along the coast, and they easily grow to 30-40 lbs. – perfect for "big fish" photos. On the other hand, black drum under 5 lbs. are considered excellent fish for the table.

One of Chef Davis Turner's favorite dishes is made with black drum and chimichurri sauce, and he's shared his recipe in the video Black Drum on a Half Shell [ [link removed] ] – try it!

For pro tips on when and where to find black drum and what lures to use, see our magazine story Miles and Miles of Coastline, Year-round Fun [ [link removed] ]. 



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Legacy Lunker Season in Full Swing

Clayton Braddock holding Legacy Lunker, link [ [link removed] ]

The Toyota ShareLunker [ [link removed] ] program's Legacy Lunker season is underway. If you catch a 13+ pound bass and loan it to us during the spawning period (Jan.-March), you too will be recognized as a member of the Legacy Class. Some high points of the season so far: 


* Ross Gomez became the first angler to catch the same Legacy Lunker twice from a public waterbody – Alan Henry Resevoir [ [link removed] ]. He reeled in the 14.78 lb. bass with an 8-pound test line. Get the full story in our press release [ [link removed] ].
* Clayton Braddock (photo) pulled the first-ever Legacy Lunker [ [link removed] ] from Lake Tawakoni [ [link removed] ].  
* O.H. Ivie [ [link removed] ] logged its 3rd Legacy Lunker of 2025 [ [link removed] ].

The Legacy Lunker season ends March 31, but the Toyota ShareLunker program continues year-round. If you reel in a largemouth bass at least 8 lbs. or 24 inches, enter your catch info online [ [link removed] ] or with the app [ [link removed] ] to receive a special ShareLunker package and a chance at even more exciting prizes. 



"Messages from our partners:"

Bassmaster Classic tournament ad, link [ [link removed] ]
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Women's sport shooting event, link [ [link removed] ]




Tips for a Spring Gear Check

Reel on rod [ [link removed] ]

Spring is when many of us get back on the water after time away from fishing. If you haven't used your gear in a while, it's a good idea to check reels, rods and line to make sure it's all ready to go.

Find out how to check reels for operational smoothness and full function, what's likely to break on your rod, and how to make fishing line last for several seasons in the "Texas Parks & Wildlife" magazine story Skill Builder: The Real Deal About Reels [ [link removed] ].







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Game Warden Field Notes
game warden with dog in a boat, link [ [link removed] ]
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Getting Girls on the Water

Animation of girl reeling in fish, video link [ [link removed] ]

Many women who fish not only enjoy it, but say they also gain self-confidence and patience from the experience. These healthy traits can also be learned at a young age, but girls who want to fish are sometimes left out of fishing trips. 

If you have a girl in your family, she may be interested in fishing with you – ask her to join you on your next trip, and encourage her to keep at it! 



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Your Input Sought on Regulation, Digital Changes

We are accepting public comment until *March 27* for proposed changes to the 2025-26 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Game Bird proclamations. For more information, see our press release Public Input Sought on Proposed Texas Hunting Regulation Changes for 2025-26 [ [link removed] ]. 

We are also taking public comment until *March 26* on changes to digital licensing and tagging requirements. The proposed amendments would expand digital license and tag options to all recreational hunting, fishing, combo license and tag types. Find the details in our press release Public Input Sought on Expansion of Digital License and Tag Options for Recreational Hunting and Fishing [ [link removed] ]. 

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"A message from our sponsor:"

Toyota Tacoma ad, link [ [link removed] ]




"Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers: "

Bass Forecast ad, link [ [link removed] ]
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Hunt-Fish Event, Tx Trophy Hunters, link [ [link removed] ]
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Marine Max, link [ [link removed] ]
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"*Fish Texas* is made possible by the generous support of Toyota. "

Toyota [ [link removed] ]




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