
STAR 2021 began with a feeling of uncertainty and ended with an emphatic confirmation of our fellow Texans’ commitment to conservation.
Thank you for visiting the 2021 Winter Freeze page. Here you’ll find CCA Texas resources as they relate to the freeze and recovery.
You can help the spotted seatrout fishery recovery expeditiously by supporting temporary fishery management measures by TPWD, practicing safe fish-handling techniques and only keeping what you need to eat.
– Shane Bonnot, Advocacy Director, CCA Texas
STAR 2021 began with a feeling of uncertainty and ended with an emphatic confirmation of our fellow Texans’ commitment to conservation.
WATCH: Highlights from the CCA & Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2021 Laguna Madre Spotted Sea Trout Fingerling Release.
“The data from our Coastal Fisheries biologists clearly shows declines in spotted seatrout populations in multiple Texas bays. While the 60-day extension of regulation changes is warranted now in the Laguna Madre, additional focus on trout fishery recovery in the San Antonio and Matagorda Bay systems is needed as well.”
WATCH: KFDM News | Fox 4 Beaumont was on scene with CCA Texas STAR Tournament Director Bill Kinney to discuss some important details regarding this year’s STAR Tournament.
$131,000 DONATED by CCA Texas and our INCREDIBLE members. THANK YOU to everyone involved in this crucial project that will have a positive effect on the future of our Texas coastal fisheries.
CCA Texas was able to donate $131,000 to this effort because of the unwavering support of our CCA Texas members who care deeply about our state’s marine resources.
CCA Texas donated $131,000 to this effort that will help increase trout production this coming season.
WATCH: We’ve just started airing our BRAND-NEW TV commercial that addresses the 2021 Winter Freeze and the efforts CCA Texas is already taking to help replenish our fish stocks.
In the wake of a coastal freeze, CCA Texas contributes $152,000 to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to speed coastal recovery.
It starts with you. Anglers are the backbone of fisheries conservation and we have the power to make the difference in the speed of this fisheries recovery by employing safe handling techniques.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission took emergency action on March 24, 2021, moving to temporarily alter spotted seatrout regulations in response to the significant fish kill that resulted from February’s severe freeze. The daily limit for speckled trout in the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre will drop to three and the slot limit will become 17-23 inches. The geographic area (Upper and Lower Laguna Madre systems) extends south of the JFK causeway to the Texas/Mexico border, including the adjacent beachfronts from Packery Channel to the Rio Grande river. The remainder of state water regulations will remain at a five fish daily bag limit and 15-25 inch slot limit with the ability to keep one fish over 25 inches long.
The emergency rule becomes effective once filed with the Secretary of State and is valid for up to 120 days. The emergency rule can be extended 1 time for 60 days, which leads to the possibility of having an emergency rule in place for 180 days. The rule can be pulled down at any time if the need for the emergency rule no longer exists.
TPWD director of coastal fisheries Robin Riechers said the changes have the potential to increase the spawning biomass by 27 percent over a generation.
Read more by clicking here.
Pat and Shane discuss the impacts of the February 14-19, 2021 freeze event on Texas coastal fisheries, conservation ethics and the responsibility we have as individuals to participate in the recovery of spotted seatrout populations. Pat also provides some historical perspective from his experiences working as a fishing as a guide through freeze events in the 1980’s. Tune in to the very end to hear the latest news from Texas Parks and Wildlife regarding emergency rule changes. photo credit: John Blaha