The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Division has selected 21 projects to be supported by the new Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP). The program, which launched in June 2021, is primarily funded by the purchase of freshwater fishing licenses.
“The Habitat and Angler Access Program offers us a new opportunity to support much needed fish habitat enhancement initiatives and shoreline-based access improvements that will improve conservation of fisheries resources and quality of angling for Texans,” says Michael Homer, Abilene District fisheries biologist and HAAP coordinator. “We anticipate these projects will be successful for increasing fishing access, expanding and restoring crucial habitat for important fish populations, as well as developing and fostering partnerships with local partners who can benefit from this new program in the future.”
HAAP grants of up to $50,000 are awarded to support individual fish habitat improvement and angler access projects on public ponds, large reservoirs, creeks, and rivers. These projects include the development or improvement of fishing piers, installation of underwater dock lighting, bank and shoreline stabilization, the creation of jetties, installation of erosion control features, native plant restoration, deployment of artificial fish attractors, dredging of excessive silt and organic materials from waterbodies with a high potential for quality fishery development, as well as the construction of non-motorized boat launches for kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft for fishing access.
This first round of projects is expected to be completed by summer of 2023. The next request for proposals for fiscal years 2024-25 will be announced in the spring of 2023.
Projects selected for 2022-23 are listed below:
For detailed information about the projects being supported during 2022-23, visit the HAAP projects webpage. More information about the Habitat and Angler Access Program, including future requests for proposals, can be found under the Fisheries Grants section of the TPWD Grants and Assistance web page.