Conservation of Texas Blue Catfish

A few weeks ago channel 8 WFAA got really interested in what is going on in the world of blue catfish in Texas. As anglers we are all doing our part in getting the state one step closer to putting regulations and protecting the fish we all love to catch.

Congratulations, everyone keep doing their part

Good stuff

I am not a huge fan of more regulation. Long before slot limits most of the bass fishermen and I did not keep bass. Personally if I catch a larger blue it gets released. It is an education issue and guides have a big part in that. I just do not want a game warden coming around and disturbing me while I am fishing. I cannot tell you how many times I have had a warden run up to me fast with his big motor rocking my boat and making noise in the area I am fishing.

This makes sense!

I hear ya...don't need a bunch...just a few.

I had rather them spend my money stocking fish instead of regulating.

If we don't get some serious rain amounts soon.
It won't matter !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am all for protecting the ecosystem.i am on Lewisville and I don't really like the 30-45 inch slot, as I am a meat hunter.i would rather see only 1 to be kept over 30" but tpwd says LL has a slot so I will abide by it.

Just nobody plays by the rules most of these guys dont even speak English all they understand is KEEP IT THEN when they can't figure out how to clean them they dumped for the buzzards... shut down the border to protect the fish population.

I'm always torn on issues of new regulation. We have to many laws. Most of which are very selectively enforced. When you look at how our federal government has literally destroyed recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico it should should scare any recreational angler with half a brain. You get the wrong people elected and the same thing could happen in freshwater. With that said we all know that there has to be basic regulations to sustain our freshwater fishing opportunities. I expect TPWD to have verifiable research to back up any new regulations. This research should be readily published and available to all fisherman. For example TPWD should be able to make a strong argument for or against greater restrictions on catfish limits and size based on the lakes they have instituted the slot limits. In the absence of good data I'm totally against any new regulations.

Thanks a million for people like the Littlejohn's that will take a stand and get the ball rolling.

HS I'm the opposite on this as I'm proud to see wardens out doing their jobs. Minor inconvenience to deal with because those boys might go on that day and catch a few folks that are over harvesting those big fish you love to catch and in turn protecting your fishery you are so passionate about. They might mess up your fishing spot but think on it. What if they actually put a few law breakers out of business that month that might actually hurt your fishing environment. In effect making your fishing a lot better in the long run and putting those out of business that are perhaps selling fish out of your lake. I'd like to see a game warden harass everyone at least once a day up here .. twice on saturday and sunday hehehe. These lakes up here have been decimated by those type folks that I'm talking about and if we'd have had warden harassment on a regular basis perhaps we'd have a lot healthier fish population. We now have a 30 inch per person rule here in OK that I know over 90% of these guys up here don't respect or pay any attention to as they'll keep everything the catch off those snaglines but maybe if we had more wardens cracking down on them maybe they would respect that 30 inch rule or at least have to go back to their camp every time they limited on 30 inch fish and clean them and then go back out and run the rest of their illegal lines. I always thank the wardens and tell them I"m proud to see um out looking for those criminals whilst handing them my licenses for inspection. that's just my point of view though. Ain't looking to say much other than it might be easier for you to tolerate them if you think of it on the other end of the spectrum ... like what would your fishin hole be like if they wasn't out there keeping an eye on it and making people toe the line keeping them honest... no amount of education will make thelaw breakers take cpr into serious thought or consideration. like in comparison say big cities with no police keeping an eye on things or no highway patrol keeping everyone from speeding around and crashing into your family whilst going to the store. I don't think fishing would be worth it for the sport fishermen if the wardens weren't out there

I agree with Tiny on most all counts, Gotta Have Some Enforcement and will also add that powerboaters and especially PWC'S need More and Stricter Regulations , as far as , their Blowing by Moored Boats "Fishing", and should be forced to Stay out of the smaller Creeks and Coves when they are just Playing and Running at high Speeds. Ever catch a PWC on a Zara- Spook . I've been tempted a time or Two.