 It's the most wonderful time of the year – trout time! Rainbow trout stocking begins 11/25 and continues until March. We'll stock 300,000+ rainbows across the state at more than 200 locations. These trout are fun to catch and meant to be eaten, so reel 'em in! The daily bag limit is 5 fish per person, with no size limit.
Trout are stocked in all Neighborhood Fishin' ponds, the perfect place to take family or holiday visitors and create some happy fishing memories. They're open year-round to help you teach children and beginners the skill of fishing. Kernel corn, meal worms, dough balls, cheese balls and many other baits can be used to catch rainbow trout.
For tips on preparing rainbows for cooking, see our video How to Clean Rainbow Trout. Then try this recipe for a fried Trout Romesco (video). Refer to the stocking schedule to find out when trout will arrive near you. We'll see you out there!
 Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Channel project
One of our ongoing programs to improve Texas fishing is the Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP). HAAP supports projects that restore and enhance freshwater fish habitat and shoreline fishing. It's primarily funded by revenue from freshwater fishing licenses purchased by anglers like you.
Eleven new HAAP projects have been selected to be funded and completed during 2026-2027. Find a list of these specific projects and their locations in our press release. Check out a past project in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Hidalgo, TPWD Team Up to Expand Fishing.
Kayak fishing is very rewarding, and knowing how to stay safe will increase your skills and confidence on the water. Here are 4 basic safety tips:
- Check the weather forecast before you head out, and when you arrive. If a storm, a strong front or high winds are predicted, stay off the water.
- ALWAYS wear your life jacket.
- Tell someone where you're going.
- Take the free paddling safety course.
Find out more in the short video How to Stay Safe While Fishing From a Kayak.
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 Come on out and visit with us at the newly renovated Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. There's so much to do: Check out all the updated exhibits, marvel at the schools of fish in the outdoor and indoor aquariums, especially the new Toyota ShareLunker exhibit – 10,000 gallon aquarium displaying 5 Legacy Class ShareLunker Largemouth Bass, likely the biggest bass you’ll ever see in your life.
Take the Ethel Express Hatchery Tour, a tram ride around TFFC hatchery to see how fish are hatched, grown and stocked. Then wet a line at our stocked fishing ponds – we'll even loan you the tackle! Spend some time at TFFC and see how your Texas waterways support and connect all living creatures.
You can now text Operation Game Thief (OGT) to submit anonymous tips about wildlife crime. You can also use the NEW free app, call or go online to report wildlife (including fish) violations:
Find out how to use these new outlets to submit an anonymous tip by watching our short video Texas OGT – Submit A Tip.
Contact us immediately if you see a wildlife crime in progress. OGT is Texas' Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program, offering rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of a wildlife crime.
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