Outdoor News - Wildlife Management Pro

Sharelunker Caught at Toledo Bend Reservoir

Thirteen pound bass
Example of a 13-pound bass.

The second lunker bass of the current Budweiser ShareLunker season was caught Sunday on Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Texas-Louisiana border. Angler James Manasco of Hemphill caught the 13.75-pound largemouth bass and donated it alive to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the program, which uses big “lunker” bass caught by anglers as a source of genetic material for fish hatchery and stocking programs.

An interesting aspect about the big bass — state fisheries biologists say it appeared Sunday’s lunker may have already spawned, a little unusual for this early in the year when waters are typically still cold. If spawning has taken place, it’s likely the result of recent up and down temperatures.

Proposed Regulation Would Put Limits on Carp at Lady Bird Lake

There is a proposed regulation by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department that anglers fishing Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) in Austin would be allowed to retain only one common carp 33-inches or larger per day, but there would be no limit on common carp measuring less than 33-inches in length.

This proposed rule change would promote carp as an untapped fishing opportunity, particularly for bank fishing in an urban area.

TPWD Monitors Golden Alga in Texas Lakes and Rivers

The Inland Fisheries Division of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been monitoring a noticeable lack of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) in Texas rivers and lakes during recent months. The naturally-occurring alga is toxic to fish but is not known to affect other wildlife or people.

It was originally noted in the Pecos River in 1985, but has caused significant fish kills in the Brazos, Canadian, Colorado, and Red River basins as well. Algal blooms in 2003, including several large ones in fall and winter, killed an estimated 8,297,933 fish in the Brazos River system and an estimated 5,131,355 fish in the Colorado River basin.

But over this past winter, water samples have shown almost no golden alga. Department experts are hesitant to make any firm statements, but believe it is possible that heavier rains in 2007 produced flushes of freshwater in lakes and rivers that have inhibited algal blooms. Research by TPWD, universities and other partners is underway to better understand the organism.

LAMPS Permits – Frequently Asked Questions

LAMPS Permits - Frequently Asked Questions

What is LAMPS?

LAMPS is an automated antlerless deer permit issuance program adopted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for the Pineywoods and Post Oak ecological regions. LAMPS permits allow antlerless deer to be taken in an otherwise buck-only season.

Who is eligible?

Any landowner (or eligible person with permission from the legal landowner) may apply for the LAMPS program participation on properties in counties where LAMPS permits are available. The property must meet minimum acreage and habitat requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements make you eligible to apply, but does not guarantee permits. To see if you are eligible, please use the LAMPS Application Screening Form.

If the property is smaller than the minimum acreage requirement, adjoining properties can be enrolled together to meet the requirement. Separate non-adjacent parcels of land must have separate applications. If the property occurs within two or more counties, the county in which the majority of property occurs will be used for determining requirements. Continue reading LAMPS Permits – Frequently Asked Questions

Information on TPWD LAMPS Permits

How many LAMPS permits can you get?

The number of LAMPS permits issued are calculated for your property based on acreage and habitat types, as well as white-tailed deer density information from the county. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) does not have the flexibility to alter issuance rates on individual properties. Permit issuance may increase or decrease with a change in habitat or county-wide harvest rate. Generally speaking, properties with better quality habitat will receive a greater number of permits. Continue reading Information on TPWD LAMPS Permits

Deadlines for LAMPS Permits

Here are the deadlines for Texas Parks & Wildlife Departments LAMPS permits. If you plan on getting LAMPS permits to hunt white-tailed deer does in your area, you better not miss these dates!

LAMPS Deadlines for Applications:

1. September 1st to guarantee a response before the first day of hunting season

2. October 1st for counties with “doe days” beginning opening day of General Season or

3. 3rd Friday in October for counties with “doe days” beginning Thanksgiving Day

Victoria-Riverside Paddling Trail

An event to mark the opening of the Victoria-Riverside Park Paddling Trail on the Guadalupe River will take place Wednesday, January 23. This is the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s fifth inland paddling trail and 12th trail overall, constructed in a partnership with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and the City of Victoria. The trail features a nice new main access ramp near the Stayton Street entrance to Riverside Park in Victoria. Continue reading Victoria-Riverside Paddling Trail