TYLER, TX (EAST TEXAS NEWS) – As spring arrives in East Texas, the weather warms up and the waterways begin to see more activity, especially among anglers.
Texas game wardens expect that each spring the lakes and rivers will fill with anglers. Working to ensure everyone follows the rules will require a lot of the wardens’ time.
The sunny, clear skies over Gladewater Lake signaled the arrival of spring. Anglers were scattered all around.
“As always, we’ll have a presence at the lakes. We see many people with different gear setups, skill levels, and experience,” said Gregg County game warden Todd Long.
In 2019, freshwater fishing drew roughly 39 million participants, nearly double those who fished saltwater and fly-fished combined.
That number continues to grow.
With so many anglers out there, the majority of wardens’ time is spent checking licenses and bag limits.
“Wardens tend to be fairly spread out. Many of us cover multiple counties. It can be a long day,” Long said.
Bag limits, size limits, and gear restrictions are set for a good reason.
Violating the current fishing rules could upset the balance of the ecosystem.
“You can overfish. Conservation is key. This is not an infinite resource,” Long said.
Licenses matter. Money from buying a statewide fishing license goes toward lake and river studies, hatchery and fish stocking programs, improvements to the habitat of creeks, educational programs, conservation budgets, infrastructure, and outreach programs.
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