Donna Alexander is a regular at Kingfisher Lake in Travis County East Metro Park in Manor, Tx. She caught a handful of channel catfish recently stocked by the The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “This is the spot, don’t tell anybody about it.” said Alexander. TPWD sponsored a free fishing day Saturday June 1, 2019 in local lakes that are stocked throughout the summer to promote their Neighborhood Fishin’ program and introduce urban families to the joy of the outdoors in their communities.
[RALPH BARRERA/ FOR THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN]
Austin American-Statesman
Starting Friday, anglers in Austin will have the opportunity to fish for catfish in one local park, thanks to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Neighborhood Fishin‘” program.
The department will stock Kingfisher Lake and Bullfrog Pond — both in Travis County East Metro Park — with channel catfish every two weeks through the end of October, with a brief pause during August due to heat.
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The fish are big enough to catch and keep, the department says, promising “a good supply” anytime Texans want to cast their lines. According to state guidelines, freshwater anglers can keep up to five fish of any kind per day, including one black bass 14 inches or greater in length.
The department will stock 18 lakes across Texas through the program. Hatcheries statewide raise approximately 800,000 channel catfish for stocking in public waters, according to TPWD.
Catfish aren’t the only fish stocked through the Neighborhood Fishin’ program — in the winter months, rainbow trout are stocked across Texas.
Where to fish for catfish in Austin
In addition to Travis County East Metro Park, anglers can catch flathead, channel and blue catfish — the three species designated as game fish — in streams, reservoirs and lakes.
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Local anglers across social media pointed out locations like Turkey Bend Recreation Area, Lake Pflugerville, Lake Travis, Walter E. Long Park, Mills Pond, McKinney Falls State Park and Old Settlers Park.
Officials said channel catfish prefer “strong-smelling baits” like nightcrawlers, chicken livers, shrimp, stinkbait, cut hot dogs and cheese.
TPWD shared the following catch-and-keep guidelines for catfish:
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“Flathead catfish are subject to a minimum length limit of 18 inches and a five-fish daily bag limit. For channel and blue catfish, the statewide minimum length is 12 inches with a combined daily bag limit of 25 fish. On Community Fishing Lakes, channel and blue cats are limited to five per day with no minimum length.”
Those guidelines may vary by location.
A catfish can barely move on the edge of a pond in that has dwindled to just a few inches deep on July 14, 2011, in Old Dime Box.
Jay Janner
Is noodling legal in Texas?
Noodling — catching catfish with your bare hands — is legal in Texas but can only be used to catch channel, blue and flathead catfish in freshwater.
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TPWD refers to the technique as “handfishing,” and anyone using the method can only use their hands — no fishing devices or traps allowed.
Catfish can also be caught with a pole and line, trotline, jugline or throwline.
How to get a fishing license
Licenses are required for Texas residents fishing in public water unless they are under 17 years old or born before Jan. 1, 1931. Certain exceptions are also made for people with disabilities, and separate rules apply for nonresidents.
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Residents and non-residents can buy freshwater, saltwater and all-water fishing licenses on the TPWD website or at select retailers, such as Academy or Walmart.
Prices range from $12 to $68, with discounts for Texas residents 65 years and older.
Texans intending to reside in the state for life can buy lifetime resident licenses, including combination hunting-and-fishing packages. Those range from $800 to $1,800.
Texas hunting, fishing license rules change Aug. 1
Beginning Aug. 1, people buying recreational hunting or fishing licenses in Texas will face updated identification rules after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved new residency verification standards. The new requirements will take effect about two weeks before annual hunting and fishing licenses go on sale Aug. 15.
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Under the revised policy, Texas residents and residents of most other states must show an unexpired driver’s license or personal identification certificate when purchasing a license through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Previously, someone could prove they lived in Texas using three documents, such as utility bills or pay stubs. Now, the rule requires showing an ID first, with those types of documents used only as additional backup if needed.
Staff writer Dante Motley contributed to this report.