State Seeking Input On Trout Management

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking public input on spotted seatrout harvest regulations, including bag and size limits along the entirety of the Texas coast.

Following the February 2021 freeze event, which impacted tens of thousands of spotted seatrout, emergency and temporary reduced harvest regulations were put into place in several bay systems with the goal of accelerating recovery of the popular game fish. The temporary regulations expired on Aug. 31, and former statewide bag and size limits were reinstated.

TPWD Coastal Fisheries staff will host several public scoping meetings on the coast to gather input from stakeholders and constituents concerning spotted seatrout management options.

The public is encouraged to attend and provide comment at the following public meetings:

• Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Bauer Community Center, 2300 Texas Highway 35, Port Lavaca, TX, 77979
• Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Saltwater Pavilion at Rockport Beach Park, 210 Seabreeze Dr., Rockport, TX, 78382
• Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Natural Resources Building, 6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX, 78412
• Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center, 309 Railroad St., Port Isabel, TX, 78578
• Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Bob Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center, Port Arthur, TX, 77642
• Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave., Galveston, TX, 77550

For more information, call or email the TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division at 512-389-8575 or cfish@tpwd.texas.gov