It's Rainbow Trout Time | New Trout Recipe | Field Notes | What's New | Angler Recognition | and More!
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It's Time to Catch Rainbows

Trout in hand, video link

Fall colors are here, and that means rainbow trout are headed for Neighborhood Fishin' ponds and community lakes. Check the stocking schedule for specific dates and a location near you.

These trout aren't hard to catch, so they're a good way to introduce children to the fun of fishing. You'll find tips and suggested trout-fishing gear in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story A Rainbow of Delights at Southside Lions.

The rainbow trout daily bag limit is 5 with no minimum length. Adults (17+) need a freshwater fishing license. These trout are meant to be caught and cooked, so take a look at our short video How to Clean Rainbow Trout.

Join us for a free, online class Dec. 5 on the basics of trout fishing – including preferred gear, how to prepare your catch, the history of rainbow trout in Texas and more – register today for Rainbow Trout Fishing in Texas


What’s New

Female angler fishing from a boat

Recent changes you need to know:

Refer to the Outdoor Annual app or online for all your fishing regulations. 


Catch and Cook: Trout with Thyme

trout stuffed with lemon, video link

It's hard to beat fresh rainbow trout pan-fried in butter, but try cooking it in a pouch with a little lemon and thyme to easily take it to the next level. 

You have a choice of baking or pan-cooking with the recipe Rainbow Trout with Thyme. You'll find the full recipe in the video's description. Enjoy!


Spotlight on Fishing Excellence – Angler Recognition

Angler with large black drum. video link

Next time you hook a big fish, no matter what it is, enter it into the Angler Recognition Program. You could be recognized for the outstanding catch as well as help us track big fish – which results in better management of Texas fisheries. 

There are a number of Award Categories, including a variety of Records by Weight and Records by Length. Check out the record-holders of Texas.

The photo on the right is of a recent Catch of the Month. Scott Likwartz caught this 41" black drum in Galveston Bay, and it earned him a Water Body Release Record and a Big Fish Award!

For more information about the Angler Recognition Program, watch our video Fishing for Records


Release the Fingerlings!

List of fingerling release amounts, video link

Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and industry leaders have built the largest saltwater redfish, spotted seatrout and southern flounder hatchery system in the world. We've released nearly 1 billion fingerlings into our Texas bays – with many more to come.

TPWD operates 3 saltwater hatcheries along the coast, including Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson, which offers tours and special events. Find out how much fun a hatchery can be by joining us at Sea Center Texas on Sat., Dec. 2 for Christmas with the Fishes – their underwater Christmas dive show.

Field Notes, 3 wardens in a boat, with link

Reward Doubled for Turtle Poaching Info

Alligator snapping turtle release, video link

Alligator snapping turtles (AST) are fresh water turtles that are a protected species in Texas. Poachers have been stealing and selling our AST. 

We are offering rewards of up to $1,000 for anyone who reports poaching of AST through Operation Game Thief – 800-792-GAME (4263). Thanks to additional funds from our Conservation License Plate program, the reward can be doubled to $2,000 if the tip leads to conviction.

Use our video guide to learn how to I.D. an AST, and let us know if you see anything suspicious.


Join the shooting sports community

A message from our non-profit partner, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. 

Forever Protecting Coastal Treasures

Matagorda Peninsula

Renowned for its untouched natural beauty, the barrier island on Matagorda Peninsula provides critical habitat for myriad fish and wildlife species, including sea turtles, shorebirds, redfish and other valued sportfish. This vibrant Gulf of Mexico salt-marsh ecosystem is an emblem of Texas’ wild things and wild places.

Acquiring the last remaining inholdings is a conservation priority, and thanks to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) and partners, a 492-acre tract has been purchased this year. The acquisitions was funded through North American Wetlands Conservation Act and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants, with private funding from The Trull Foundation and The Elkins Foundation providing critical matching funds.

Thanks to this partnership, this coastal treasure will be protected forever. Learn more about the work of TPWF

A message from our sponsor:

Toyooa Tundra ad, with link

Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers:

Fishing in Port Aransas

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