Keith Lusher 12.27.23
In a move that was unexpected by Texas speckled trout fishermen, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission announced it is considering tightening regulations that would move the daily limit from five fish to three, with a slot that would shift from 15-25 inches to 15-20 inches and the ability to keep one fish over 25 inches.
This comes on the heels of the regulations reverting to what they once were before a devastating freeze in February of 2021 when Texas saw its largest fish kill since the 1980s. Speckled trout were hit particularly hard in that freeze with an estimated 160,000 fish killed.
Texas anglers reacted on social media as the news was posted. Most of them are tired of the rule adjustments and don’t see the need as they are catching trout in healthy numbers.
John Milkulca of Alvin, TX said, “Leave it alone. All y’all do is take and take. Three trout is barely enough for a family to eat for dinner. There are plenty of fish. If y’all would stop doing your surveys on the worst possible day of fishing, Maybe you would get better results. You would also have to be a fool to go with the fishing guide for three fish and pay their outrageous price.”
Ken Elliot is a speckled trout angler who lives in Buno, TX He believes that the amount of fish that fishermen can keep doesn’t justify the price it costs to go fishing. “Leave it alone! $70,000 plus for a boat, insurance, and gas to catch three fish? Five is bad enough,” Elliott said.
JT Kisiah of Port Lavaca, TX also wants the limits left alone. “There’s just as much fish out there than before the freeze. I have no problem catching fish. Keep it the way it is and go mess with something else,” he said.
The majority of public comment shows that anglers prefer the current 5-fish limits but Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission states on its website that, “The rule responds to public scoping and survey efforts by the department which found that many anglers wanted to see more restrictive measures to improve the fishery.” Simply translated: Texas speckled trout fishermen want the state to force them to keep fewer fish.
The proposals are scheduled to be discussed at the next commission meeting in January. If approved, these changes would go into effect coastwide.
TPWD is asking for public comments and is hosting several public hearings to receive input from anglers and constituents concerning the proposed regulation changes. Below are the dates and locations of the upcoming hearings and other ways to voice your opinions online or by phone:
