New Trout Regulations Likely for Middle and Lower Coasts

By now, all Texas anglers are aware that Winter Storm Uri blasted our coast with prolonged north winds and frigid temperatures this past February. Air temperatures along the coast remained mostly below freezing for several days, and water temperatures plummeted to dangerous levels for many species of gamefish – especially spotted seatrout.

Middle and Lower Coast bays took the brunt of it, with fish kills of varying proportions from Matagorda all the way to South Padre. Galveston and Sabine fared far better; given that their greater average depths provided thermal refuge that recreationally important species were denied farther south.

TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division were quick to respond, enacting a set of emergency regulations to reduce recreational harvest of speckled trout that became effective April 1, 2021 and were subsequently extended through September 27, 2021.

Daily bag limits were reduced to three fish per day (from five) with a slot length of 17- to 23-inches (formerly 15- to 25-inches). The purpose of the measure was to further conserve the spawning biomass that had survived the freeze. Those emergency regulations expired on September 27 and the prior five-fish bag limit was re-instated.

TPWD conducts annual population surveys during spring. No surprise, the surveys revealed a 30% decline of adult trout in the Laguna Madre, compared to the prior 10 year average. Notable declines approaching 40% were also seen in the Matagorda and San Antonio bay systems, although there was speculation as to whether those data might have been skewed by fresh water inundation during the period in which the surveys were conducted.

What’s Next?

Continuing to recognize that speckled trout stocks would need additional assistance in order to recover as quickly as possible to pre-freeze levels on the Middle Coast and Laguna Madre, Coastal Fisheries staff presented a proposal to the TPWD Commission requesting another set of temporary trout regulations. Basically, it would renew the original emergency bag limits for the Laguna Madre, to include Middle Coast bays as far north as East Matagorda. If approved, the regulation would take effect sometime in spring 2022 and expire August 31, 2023. The result is calculated to provide a 27% boost to spawning biomass through the 2022 and 2023 spawning seasons.

How Does TPWD Make Bag Limit and Length Decisions?

Regulatory decisions to decide bag limits and length of fish in the bag include scientific analysis of growth data collected over years of study and analysis of reproductive capacity (fecundity) of species. In the present case, a comparison of data is projected toward the most likely outcome. Obviously, a closed season is the surest and fastest way to improve a fishery, but that is not the answer. TPWD wants us to continue fishing, and be able to take some fish home for dinner. The accompanying chart helps identify a practical middle ground, call it a “sweet spot” where anglers can retain some fish, while contributing toward the recovery of the fishery. The effect of bag limit and length of fish retained are additive. So, what we see here is the result of reducing the bag to three fish (6.60% increase to spawning biomass) and establishing the length in a slot of 17- to 23-inches (another increase of 21.30%). The result is projected to provide an increase of slightly more than 27% to spawning biomass. Hence the basis for the regulatory proposal.

Public Meetings – Part of the Process

Receiving a greenlight from commissioners to take the proposal public, it was first published in the Texas Register. The next step of the standard regulatory process requires that Coastal Fisheries staff conduct meetings to inform the public of proposed regulatory changes and gauge their opinion. Anglers can participate by either attending a meeting in-person or electronically by way of a portal created by TPWD. I heartily encourage that all anglers with a stake in the fishery participate in-person or electronically. Voice your opinion constructively, and with a view that includes the future of this important recreational fishery.  

Public Meeting Schedule – All Meeting Times 6-8 pm

Jan 11 – Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center. 309 Railroad St, Port Isabel, TX
Jan 11 – Natural Resources Center (Room 1003) 6300 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX
Jan 12 – Aquarium at Rockport Harbor. Education Center. 706 Navigation Circle. Rockport, TX
Jan 13 – Bauer Exhibit Building 186 Henry Barber Way, Port Lavaca, TX

What More Can Anglers Do? Practice Catch and Release!

We often hear people say… “Releasing trout is a waste of time and fish. Yeah, they’ll swim away, but they’re all gonna die.” This is absolutely false, and more than likely only an attempt to justify their lack of conservation ethic.

Scientific studies conducted by Harte Institute confirm more than 80% of trout released after capture by hook and line will survive; and not for a few days, they will continue their lives and continue to spawn. The Harte studies included trout caught and released in summer heat, on all types of natural bait and lures, on both treble and single hooks. Bottom line: They’ll all die in an ice chest. Turning them loose is their only chance to survive and continue spawning!

Let’s all do our part in conserving this fishery for the future.