Fishing enthusiasts take note: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is rolling out new regulations for spotted seatrout catches starting March 26, a move aiming to bolster the species' numbers on the Texas coast.
Anglers will now be reined into a three-fish daily bag limit, with a minimum size limit of 15 inches and a max cap set at 20 inches, though one lunker—the term for a brag-worthy catch—over 30 inches can still make the cut as part of the daily limit, according to TPWD.
The alterations are part of TPWD's strategy to revive the spotted seatrout's dwindling presence, following a stretch of lower-than-anticipated population levels, the agency is also pondering an additional change to ax the ability to bag those over 30-inch trout, at least until a tagging system is set up for the 2024 license year, starting September 1. This tag, ostensibly tacked on at no extra cost with a saltwater fishing license or endorsement, would let anglers snag a single oversized trout annually, and for those exempt from license mandates, a $3.00 Exempt Angler Tag is also on the table.
Public opinion is sought on these proposed tag systems and fees, with TPWD swinging open a public comment portal until 5:00 p.m. on March 27. And for those looking to dive deeper, the Coastal Fisheries division is hosting a virtual meetup come March 19 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom—register if you're keen to attend, as per TPWD.
