10 Questions We Should Be Asking About TX Trout Fishery

The Texas speckled trout fishery is at a crossroads.

Bag and size limits have been on a steady course of change for 15 years and the mega freeze event of 2021 caused serious damage in parts of the Middle Coast and in the Laguna Madre system.

As we reported, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department biologists are looking at extending special rules for trout on 2/3 of the coast through Aug. 2023.

As anglers who love this fishery, here are 10 questions we should be asking about the trout fishery.

1. What are the long-term trends for trout population and average size on the Upper Coast?
2. What were the long-term trends for trout populations and average size on the Middle and Lower Coasts before the freeze?
3. Was the emergency fishery closure around the freeze on the Lower Coast long enough?
4. Should barge traffic be handled in a different way in freeze events?
5. What type of impact is dredging on the coast having on seagrass and oyster habitat?
6. How big is the illegal oyster trade and is enough attention being paid to this issue? (Oyster reefs are key trout habitat)
7. Are slot limits feasible for speckled trout?
8. With growing toxic algae problems in Florida and in other areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts how would a large toxic algae bloom impact the Texas coast?
9. What is the overall impact of trout stocking and can it be increased to help in situations like much of the coast is facing now?
10. Should anglers be better educated on proper catch-and-release of speckled trout? (Handling, etc.)

Feel free to comment on each point in the comment section below.

What other questions would you like to ask?