PICTURED IS A YOUNG ANGLER who has just caught a small bass using an artificial lure and is thrilled over her catch. The undersize fish was released. Community Fishing Lakes (CFL) exist across Texas with many near population centers to enable beginners and their parents to learn how to fish. Some even have equipment available for use. The only thing needed is enthusiasm (unless the angler is an adult, in which case a fishing license may be necessary). The column text reports a number of proposed changes in CFL fishing regulations to simplify outings. (Photo by Vicky Jefferson)

by John Jefferson

It’s said there are two classes of writers: Poets and those who make lists.

This column will set out hunting and fishing proposals Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider at its March 23 meeting. The entire list is as long as from here to Tipperary. And as the old Irish marching song says, “It’s a long way to go!”

The proposed migratory game bird regulations mirror last year’s season lengths, timing and daily bag limits. No substantive changes were proposed.

Saltwater proposals were also limited. Shortfin Makos are proposed additions to the prohibited shark list. Anglers could also be required to use descending devices on fish exhibiting barotrauma, and the bag limit for cobia is proposed reduced to one fish per day per angler and a vessel limit of two.

Now to Freshwater Fishing regs: Modify the definition of Community Fishing Lakes (CFLs) as follows:

–Clarify that CFLs include all public impoundments 75 acres or less located within city limits or public parks.

–Remove special exceptions for blue and channel catfish.

–Remove statewide daily bag, possession, and length limits for other species of fish to implement daily bag limit of five (all species combined) with one black bass over fourteen inches.

–Continue largemouth bass special exceptions for five CFLs.

–Clarify pole-and-line restrictions for CFLs, state park lakes and Goforth Park Lake.

–Modify CFL regulations for catfish on state park lakes Abilene, Raven, and Sheldon to remove special exceptions for blues and channels to a daily bag limit of 15 with 14-inch minimum length.

–Apply CFL fishing regulations to seven water bodies for management, removing special exceptions for blue and channel catfish, and removing statewide daily regs for other species of fish to implement a daily bag limit of five (all species combined) with one black bass greater than 14 inches.

Modify largemouth bass harvest regulations for Lake Nasworthy by eliminating exceptions and returning to statewide regulations.
Implement largemouth bass catch-and-release regulations for Lake Forest Park.

Remove fishing regulations for Gibbons Creek Reservoir, now privately owned.

Modify Dixieland Lake catfish regulations by removing exceptions for blues and channels and remove statewide regulations for other species of fish to implement a daily bag limit of five (all species combined) with one black bass greater than 14 inches.

Modify catfish regulations for Bellwood and Tankersley lakes on blues and channels and returning to statewide regulations.

Delineate the upstream reservoir boundaries for Choke Canyon Reservoir and O.H. Ivie Reservoir to differentiate between the inflowing river and the reservoir where special exceptions apply.

Correct the upstream lake boundary road name for Lake Conroe.

WHEW! Told ya it’d be a long list! Inland Fisheries Director Craig Bonds and staff have worked hard to simplify regs. Public comments may be made until March 22. Phone Michael Tennant at (512) 389-8754 or email Michael.Tennant@tpwd.texas.gov. The TPW Commission will take public comment on the proposed changes at its meeting on Thursday, March 23, in Austin. Public testimony is limited to three minutes per person.

JJ