By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

Anglers may see a few changes to state freshwater fishing regulations in 2023-2024.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is expected to weigh proposed changes at its meeting in January, but the public was given a preview of the proposals at a recent commission meeting.

Community Fishing Lakes
One potential change is a modification of the definition of a Community Fishing Lake (CFL).

“Community fishing lakes are public impoundments 75 acres or smaller located totally within incorporated city limits or a public park, and all impoundments of any size within the boundaries of a state park,” Michael Tennant, TPWD regulations and policy coordinator for the inland fisheries division, said. “Currently, the department recognizes over 850 CFLs, 70% of which are in major metropolitan areas. The proximity to urban areas and ease of access leads to heavy fishing pressure.”

The new definition of a CFL, if adopted, would exclude impoundments greater than 75 acres that are totally within the boundaries of state parks to avoid angler confusion related to fishing regulations.

TPWD staff propose several changes to fishing regulations at CFLs.

Currently, fishing regulations at CFLs follow statewide standards with special exceptions for catfish, bass and sunfish. The proposed rule change would remove special exceptions for blue and channel catfish and would remove statewide daily bag, possession and length limits for other species of fish.

“The potential rule change would implement a daily bag limit of five, all species in aggregate, with one black bass greater than 14 inches for most CFL and continue catch and release only exceptions for five CFL,” Tennant said. “We are hopeful that this new regulation will enhance the overall fishing experience for CFL anglers by reducing regulatory complexity and enhancing and diversifying fishing opportunities.”

The proposal would continue largemouth bass special exceptions for selected CFLs, which have not yet been determined, and would clarify the two pole-and-line limit for CFLs and manmade structures within a state park.

“Current pole and line restrictions allow game and non-game fish to be taken only by pole and line, and/or employ no more than two pole-and-line devices at the same time for a variety of public water bodies,” Tennant said. “The potential change would continue existing pole-and-line restrictions and clarify restrictions for CFL and 10 state park lakes that would no longer be defined as CFL and add restrictions to Deputy Darren Goforth Park. Pole-and- line restrictions are recommended where fishing pressure is intense to minimize angler conflicts and distribute fishing opportunity.”

The proposed rule changes for CFLs follow a CFL angler survey conducted in 2021 to evaluate angler participation and preferences and angler confusion related to fishing regulations.

“The goal of this evaluation was to develop simplified regulations that would be easy to understand and enforce while enhancing fishing opportunities,” Tennant said.

Lake Nasworthy
TPWD staff also proposed changes to largemouth bass regulations on Lake Nasworthy in Tom Green County.

If passed by the commission, special exceptions to statewide regulations would be eliminated.

“The largemouth bass population has a long history of slow growth, poor size structure and body condition. In 2015, a 14 to 18-inch slot length limit with adopted, intending to improve size, structure, and body condition,” Tennant said. “Over the past seven years, creel data show low harvest, and fisheries management survey data show no changes in bass abundance, condition, or growth. Harvest of largemouth bass under the slot length limit is needed to restructure the population.”

Anglers participating in bass tournaments on the lake have voiced their displeasure with the slot length limit. An angler opinion survey reveals most anglers on the lake would prefer a return to statewide standards.

“The potential rule change would return to statewide standards as special exceptions are no longer needed, which would consist of the same daily bag limit and a 14-inch minimum length limit,” Tennant said.

Lake Forest Park
The commission in January will also weigh implementation of a catch and release regulation for largemouth bass on the newly renovated Lake Forest Park in Denton County.

Renovations at the park include: dam replacement, silt removal, a pedestrian bridge, shoreline access, including a dock and kayak launch, fish habitat and fish stocking.

“The fisheries management goal for Lake Forest Park is to develop a quality, self-sustaining largemouth bass population. It is important to provide protection to those initial year classes of stocked largemouth bass to achieve the fisheries management goal,” Tennant said.

Current largemouth bass regulations on the lake follow the statewide standard and daily bag limit of five for black bass and 14-inch minimum length limit.

The potential rule change would implement a catch and release only regulation to protect initial year classes of largemouth bass.

Choke Canyon and OH Ivie Reservoirs
TPWD staff are also proposing delineation of upstream reservoir boundaries for Choke Canyon Reservoir in Live Oak and McMullen counties and O.H. Ivie Reservoir in Coleman, Concho and Runnels counties to differentiate between the inflowing river and the reservoir where special exceptions to statewide fishing regulations are in place.

Blue and channel catfish special harvest exceptions are in place for Choke Canyon Reservoir.

“Law enforcement has identified a need to establish the upstream reservoir boundary to delineate where these exceptions apply. The potential rule change would delineate the upstream boundary as the State Highway 16 bridges on the Frio River and San Miguel Creek to differentiate between the reservoir, where special exceptions apply in the inflowing rivers,” Tennant said.

There are largemouth bass special harvest exceptions for O.H. Ivie Reservoir.

“Inland fishery staff and law enforcement has identified a need to establish the upstream reservoir boundary to delineate where these exceptions apply. The potential rule change would delineate the upstream boundary as the FM Road 129 Bridge on the Colorado River and Amos Creek on the Concho River,” Tennant said.

Lake Conroe
The fishing regulation proposal also includes a correction to the upstream reservoir boundary road name for Lake Conroe in Montgomery and Walker counties.

“The department has determined that there is an error in the upstream boundary defined for Lake Conroe in the Texas Administrative Code,” Tennant said. “Existing department publications reflect the correct road name and thus conflict with enforceable provision currently in the Texas Administrative Code.”

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider these proposed regulation changes at their meeting Jan. 25-26 in Austin.