Keith Lusher 12.27.23
![TPWC Considers Altering Texas Regulations on Speckled Trout](https://outdoorhub-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:low,w_auto,dpr_auto/https://cdn.outdoorhub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-19-at-10.15.43-PM-1.png)
This comes on the heels of the rules reverting to what they as soon as have been earlier than a devastating freeze in February of 2021 when Texas noticed its largest fish kill for the reason that Nineteen Eighties. Speckled trout have been hit notably onerous in that freeze with an estimated 160,000 fish killed.
Texas anglers reacted on social media because the information was posted. Most of them are uninterested in the rule changes and don’t see the necessity as they’re catching trout in wholesome numbers.
John Milkulca of Alvin, TX mentioned, “Depart it alone. All y’all do is take and take. Three trout is barely sufficient for a household to eat for dinner. There are many fish. If y’all would cease doing all of your surveys on the worst attainable day of fishing, Possibly you’ll get higher outcomes. You’d additionally must be a idiot to go together with the fishing information for 3 fish and pay their outrageous value.”
Ken Elliot is a speckled trout angler who lives in Buno, TX He believes that the quantity of fish that fishermen can hold doesn’t justify the worth it prices to go fishing. “Depart it alone! $70,000 plus for a ship, insurance coverage, and gasoline to catch three fish? 5 is unhealthy sufficient,” Elliott mentioned.
JT Kisiah of Port Lavaca, TX additionally desires the boundaries left alone. “There’s simply as a lot fish on the market than earlier than the freeze. I’ve no downside catching fish. Maintain it the way in which it’s and go mess with one thing else,” he mentioned.
Nearly all of public remark reveals that anglers desire the present 5-fish limits however Texas Parks and Wildlife Fee states on its website that, “The rule responds to public scoping and survey efforts by the division which discovered that many anglers needed to see extra restrictive measures to enhance the fishery.” Merely translated: Texas speckled trout fishermen need the state to pressure them to maintain fewer fish.
The proposals are scheduled to be mentioned on the subsequent fee assembly in January. If authorized, these modifications would go into impact coastwide.
TPWD is asking for public feedback and is internet hosting a number of public hearings to obtain enter from anglers and constituents regarding the proposed regulation modifications. Beneath are the dates and areas of the upcoming hearings and different methods to voice your opinions on-line or by telephone: