Texas has a wide range of fish species due to the state’s multitude of water ways and various aquatic habitats. Anglers are drawn to Texas whether they are trophy fishing or fishing for dinner. Waterfront homes have also become attractive to anglers due to their close proximity to the water. Waterfront living give anglers various fishing opportunities; whether fishing off their backyard dock or unhooking their fishing boat and spending the day on the lake. So USAWaterviews.com went ahead and created a list of things to know prior to grabbing your fishing rob.
Fishing Goal
First, anglers need to determine their goal. Are you trying to catch a trophy-sized large mouth bass or do you want to catch a catfish to grill for dinner? Once you determine your end goal, you will be able to research local lakes or streams that have those fish species. It’s important to remember that different species of fish prefer different habitats. Some species prefer deeper waters while others prefer shallower waters.
Licensing Requirements
Next, you will need to check the local licensing requirements. State parks offer free fishing year-round so there’s no need to worry about a license when fishing from the banks. The state parks initiated these programs so that local citizens can enjoy spending quality time within the parks. However, if you leave the confines of the state park, you’ll likely need to obtain a state fishing license.
Fishing Gear
You’ll also need to determine whether you have the correct gear. If you’re new to fishing, hiring an experienced guide can be a great option. Guides will provide all the gear; casting reels, rods, and bait. Plus, guides will be able to navigate the lakes, take you to the best fishing locations, and teach you the best way to fish depending on the lake and fish species.
Common Fish Species
It’s also important to know some basic information about the fish species local to Texas. The most popular fish species is the largemouth bass. Anglers can fish for largemouth bass year-round. These fish inhabit lakes, ponds or creeks that have vegetation and clear waters. The second most common species of fish is catfish. Catfish are extremely versatile and can live in lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, channels, or reservoirs. If you’re looking to catch a trophy-sized catfish, you’ll probably want to check out Lake Texoma or Lake Conroe. The current record for the largest caught blue catfish is 121.5 pounds out of Lake Texoma!
Few Things to Remember
Lastly, it’s important to remember that urban communities often stock their ponds with channel catfish and rainbow trout. If you’re wanting to fish for the first time, you can always start there. Fishing on a local stocked lake is a low-stress way to have fun with minimal gear.