Just wanted to throw is out in case anyone didnt know. Our club had a Tournament out of park at tawakoni yesterday now mind you it was small (7) boats. They were not going to let us launch @ the park because we didnt have a signed contract .DO WHAT!!! Well, our politicians in Austin have passed some new laws to do this. you would think our tax dollars and fishing liscense would be enough ! NO!! they basically want to tax our fishing some more! check with your local representatives see if they voted YES to this !

Just don't hold a weigh in in their parking lot. They can't keep you from launching if you pay their fee. Hold the weigh in elsewhere,and just take the fish back to the lake.

yep, we thought of that and he had already taken down out plate #'s to turn into dps if we did'nt comply! and theres no info of this on their website or in the new book for this year!

I guess I don't get it. Who cares whether 7 boats meet at the ramp at a specific time to compare their catches? Why would you need a contract to do that? What makes a tourney different from anyone else doing it? Sounds like some city boy politics to me. What ever happened to the days of just going fishing with friends? Now you need a contract. Something terribly wrong with this picture.

Isn't this the same park that the manager said she was the "new sheriff"? There are enough people on here that can start and email/phone campaign to take care of this problem. Tawakoni is the only park I have even heard mentioned in the forums for any reason.

I just searched the website for the 80th session of the Texas Legislature and there were NO bills passed concerning tournament contracts at State Parks.

Did she provide you with any regulation number?

I would try to have your tournament again, this time have a Game Warden with you. If she harasses you have the warden write her a citation for fisherman harassment.

Have the weigh-in on the park land, there is no prohibition against it. If she harasses you, file a civil suit for denying your rights of the club to a peaceable assembly.

It is your right to launch out of a state park, it is your right to bring your legal fish in, after catching the fish they become your possesion. you may weigh them and release them if you wish in the state park.

What would DPS do to you in this matter? Its not a traffic violation to hold a tournament.

Game Wardens are not DPS officers, they are the Law Enforcement Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The gate attended appears to be enforcing non-existent laws to prohibit fishing tournaments from the state park, that in my opinion is angler harassment. Which is a criminal offense in the State of Texas enforced by our Game Wardens.

Texas State Parks will never see a dime of my money ever again. I pay for the parks with my hunting/fishing license and I was quoted 14 dollars to launch 1 boat on Whitney and stay out past 10:00 PM. I hope they all close.

Sounds like total BS provided the park staff to me.

Not to mention the folks that pay additional money for their annual state park conservation passes to receive this treatment.

Not all parks charge the same. Falcon State Park charges $2.00 to enter and launch. To stay out past 10:00 p.m. I guess you would have to pay for a camping spot to get the combination to the gate.

Unreal...

I though that was strange also. Joe pool state park charges $5.00 and Bob Sandlin charges $2.00.

I guess it is a National Park, but try to call Amistad for a "friendly bass club tournament" and they WILL not only charge you for a permit, but will not allow it IF the park is already scheduled for other big tournaments.

Well the state parks are needed for not only fishing, but camping and enjoying the wildlife. If I had a problem with any park employee, just remember that everyone has a boss and I would not let the issue rest. I am a state park pass holder and have not experienced what y'all have been seeing at Tawakoni. But get together and let Austin hear from you or it will never change.

I saw Twak on Bass Champs schedule again. Where are they launching out of this year.

They limited us to 50 parking spots only last year. won't be back this year.

I believe it is just the local "New Sherrif In Town" as she put it, that was doing all of this. I don't know if it is the state.

I believe it is just the local "New Sherrif In Town" as she put it, that was doing all of this. I don't know if it is the state.

I cannot believe that she has been allowed to keep her job. I fugured she would have been run out of town a long time ago. She is an absolute disgrace to our parks and should have been fired a long time ago for her actions. It makes my blood boil just to think about it.

BassChamps is going out of Anchor Marine this year rather than the state park.

I put on a benifit for my bass club on Rayburn about 15 years ago and had to get a permit for tournament from the foresty service or national park service in Lufkin. I believe it was 43 dollars for the permit and it was cheaper than a permit for a state park at the time. It had to be scheduled either 6 months or a year in advance. There were probably about 20 entries with a minimal entry fee. The permit took about a third of our profit. This is nothing new, it is just something that small clubs can't afford to do legally. So we started holding our weighins offsite and take fish back to the water. Check into it more and I believe that it has been an on going thing, just not known about.

National parks like Amistad are different.

Just FYI, I called the TPWD Local office here in Fort Worth and the main office in Austin yesterday. I spent an hour and a half being transfered from person to person. I spoke to at least 7-8 different people, and NO-ONE had heard of this contract. I then called several other State Park Local offices. None of the people at the local offices knew of a contract to sign.

I find it funny that one person on the meth highway is the only one who knows about this "contract." You figured if this was a State required contract, most if not all State Parks would know about it.

Some lakes like Texoma require a permit, Lake Waco (which is city operated, Allen Henry, ect). But those are different than State Park Facilities.

Launch fees are mandated by the state. The local park has no control over it. The launch fee is the same as the entry fee into the park. And the park launch fee is whatever the parks entry fee times the number of people in the vehicle. Example. The state park on Sandlin has a $2.00 entry fee. So each person in the vehicle will have to pay $2. So if you and your partner are going to launch it will cost $4 on Sandlin. If you buy a yearly park pass. It wont matter how many people in the truck or which state park you enter. Yearly pass is $60 and if you camp or visit any parks they wont chage you a daily entry fee.

Sorry, but that is incorrect. Example: Purtis Creek SP boat launch fee is $5 in addition to park entry fees, regardless if one has a Parks pass or not. But the new park manager has implemented a $35 annual boat ramp pass and has indicated that the launch fee may go away completely in a year or so.

To those interested I filed a question on TPWD web site concerning this issue. the Game Warden division sent the e-mail to Tawakoni State Park for the reply, see below and my response to her answer.

Dear Ms. Garde,

I find your response troubling at best.

I have tried to review the statute you referenced but am unable to locate it on the Texas Administrative Code Web Site. I have copied all of the information within TAC, Title 31, Part 2, Chapter 59, Sub Chapter A, Rule 59.3 for your review. Please locate 59.3(c)(150)(B) for my education. Or did you mean (15)?

You might want to educate the staff in Austin as another concerned angler inquired as to your actions and no one in Austin was familiar with any Contractual agreement required for a tournament. He also contacted other State Park Superintendents and no one seems to know what you are enforcing.

As stated in her response to me only her park is enforcing this "fee".


Texas Administrative Code
TITLE 31 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
PART 2 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 59 PARKS
SUBCHAPTER A PARK ENTRANCE AND PARK USER FEES
RULE §59.3 Activity and Facility Use Fees

(a) Where variable use fees are authorized by the commission, they may be established for individual parks, activities, or facilities. Fees may also be established on a yearly, monthly, or weekly basis. The executive director is authorized to establish an annual or seasonal permit for a facility or activity in lieu of a daily fee, and may establish a replacement and/or a duplicate permit. The executive director or his/her designee may discount or waive fees in order to enhance utilization or to promote the future use of existing facilities or activities.

(b) Fee ranges--Group One:
(1) campsite-primitive--$4.00-$20;
(2) campsite-regular--$5.00-$26;
(3) campsite (with electricity)--$9.00-$26;
(4) campsite (with electricity and sewer connection)--$10-$36;
(5) screened shelter--$15-$60;
(6) shelter with amenities--$25-$75;
(7) cabins:
(A) kitchen and bath--$45-$200;
(B) limited service--$45-$100; and
(C) each additional person above capacity--$5.00--$25;
(8) recreation/meeting hall--$50-$300;
(9) group lodge:
(A) variable (by facility type)--$75-$500;
(B) variable (by number of occupants)--$15-$45;
(C) each additional person above capacity--$5.00-$25;
(10) dining hall--$65-$150;
(11) pavilion (variable by facility)--$17-$250;
(12) amphitheater--$10-$150;
(13) auditorium--$200-$650;
(14) gymnasium--$300-$850;
(15) group picnic area--$17-$200;
(16) group camps (bunkhouses, barracks, campsites, shelters), variable by type and number of facilities (units) used--$100-$1,500;
(17) hotel/motel room:
(A) single (one bed) or standard (two double beds)--$40-$95;
(B) king single (one bed)--$65-$125;
(C) suite (two double beds)--$75-$175;
(D) executive suite (two double beds)--$85-$225;
(E) additional person (adult)--$5.00-$20;
(F) additional person (child)--$2.00-$10.00; and
(G) rooms with kitchenettes--$50-$60;
(18) Bed and Breakfast rooms:
(A) single (two twin beds)--$50-$90;
(B) double (one double bed)--$50-$100;
(C) queen suite--$75-$150; and
(D) cottage--$75-200;
(19) ranch accommodations:
(A) historic ranch house--$40-$125 per person, meals available upon request; and
(B) bunkhouse (two twin beds)--$35-$75 per person, meals available upon request;
(20) excess vehicle parking (per vehicle)--$1.00-$6.00 (parking areas designated by park manager);
(21) excess occupancy fee (with facility use fee), per person--$1.00-$25;
(c) Fee ranges--Group Two:
(1) seasonal or annual activity pass--$25-$325;
(2) swimming pools use:
(A) adults--$2.00-$6.00;
(B) child (six-12)--$1.00-$4.00; and
(C) group use (before or after normal operating hours)--$35-$750;
(3) nine-hole golf course (staff operated):
(A) green fees--daily--$7.00-$15;
(i) weekends and holidays--$8.00-$25; and
(ii) 18 years of age and under (excluding weekends and holidays)--$3.00-$10; and
(B) golf trail fee for privately owned golf carts:
(i) daily--$3.00-$12.00; and
(ii) annual--$50-$175;
(4) historic steam railroad:
(A) fares:
(i) adult (one-way)--$8.00-$20;
(ii) adult (round trip)--$13-$25;
(iii) child (three-12) (one-way)--$4.00-$12.00; and
(iv) child (three-12) (round trip)--$7.00-$15;
(B) train lease for filming purposes (salaries for train crew are paid in addition to the fees listed, and a surety bond of $500,000 may be required):
(i) steam locomotive and tender (per day)--$1,500-$2,500;
(ii) diesel locomotives (per day)--$700-$1,500;
(iii) steam engine firing fuel and lubricants (per running hour)--$100-$350;
(iv) diesel locomotives fuel and lubricants (per running hour)--$50-$250;
(v) railroad car per unit (any type) (per day)--$120-$375;
(vi) rail mounted truck with driver (per day)--$280-$700;
(vii) motor car with driver (per day)--$240-$700;
(viii) short-term steam train use (after regular schedule run) three-hour minimum (per hour)--$400-$1,500;
(ix) train charter rates:
(I) 50-mile round trip (regular passenger fares) minimum--$2,500-$4,500; and
(II) 15-mile round trip (regular passenger fares) minimum--$1,650-3,750.
(5) island access fees:
(A) boat transportation fee:
(i) adults (round trip)--$10-$20; and
(ii) child (six-12) (round trip)--$5.00-$15;
(B) on island tour fee--$3.00-$18; and
(C) beach shuttle fee:
(i) adults--$2.00-$6.00; and
(ii) child (six-12)--$1.00-$4.00;
(6) state park and historic site filming fee (private, profit-oriented businesses) per day (contract and surety bond required)--$250-$10,000;
(7) activity use fee per person (day or overnight)--$2.00-$50;
(8) lake use fee--$5.00-$15;
(9) visitor shuttle fee per person--$2.00-$10;
(10) tour fee (includes educational, interpretive, instructional, adventure and/or entertaining or any combination of fees packaged into one rate) per person--$.25-$1,000;
(11) fishing pier fees--per fishing device--$1.00-$5.00;
(12) educational seminar fee--variable according to type of seminar, size of group and other applicable considerations;
(13) equipment rental fee--variable according to type of equipment and other applicable considerations;
(14) park operations fee (operating cost for special services and or resources utilized)--cost plus 20%;
(15) event fee:
(A) wedding ceremonies and receptions or other special receptions and meetings--$50-$5,000.
(B) special public activities, festivals and exhibitions when authorized and conducted--fee is variable and may be combined or packaged with other use and/or concessions fees
(16) commercial boat landing fee--$50-$1,000;
(17) fees for special events, new activities, or new facilities are authorized by the commission. These fee amounts shall be established by the executive director or a designee; and
(18) commercial use fee--variable. Fees for special activities conducted within a state park or for access to a state park for which a direct or indirect profit is the motive for conducting the activity. Public Hunting and Fishing Permits and Fees.
(d) Special access permits. Special access permits allow entry to state parks and are issued to persons selected for public hunting privileges in state parks.
(1) standard period--$75;
(2) extended period--$125.


--- On Tue, 9/9/08, Donna Garde <Donna.Garde@tpwd.state.tx.us> wrote:


From: Donna Garde <Donna.Garde@tpwd.state.tx.us>
Subject: Fishing Tournament at Lake Tawakoni State Park
To: singsamjs@sbcglobal.net
Cc: "Ellen Buchanan" <Ellen.Buchanan@tpwd.state.tx.us>, "Dyanne Cortez" <Dyanne.Cortez@tpwd.state.tx.us>, "Kevin Storey" <Kevin.Storey@tpwd.state.tx.us>, "Phillip Plata" <Phillip.Plata@tpwd.state.tx.us>
Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 5:02 PM


In response to your posting below:

*** E-mail reply requested!
*** Reply to: singsamjs@sbcglobal.net

User was on this page: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/warden/index.phtml

Comment or Question:

Just wanted to throw is out in case anyone didn't know. Our club had a Tournament out of the state park at tawakoni yesterday now mind you it was small (7) boats. They were not going to let us launch @ the park because we didn't have a signed contract .DO WHAT!!! Well, our politicians in Austin have passed some new laws to do this. you would think our tax dollars and fishing license would be enough ! NO!! they basically want to tax our fishing some more! check with your local representatives see if they voted YES to this !



This has to do with the Texas Administrative Code (TAC)Title 31, Part 2, Chapter 59, Subchapter A, Rule 59.3 (c)(150)(B). Tournaments are considered a special event and we are required to collect a fee and have a contract with anyone holding a special event in a state park. Contracts should be made in advance of the event and the state collects its fees and signatures on the day of the event. The amount is very minimal for fishing tournaments (currently $1.00 per boat). This isn't a new regulation or law for TPWD, it is only now being enforced at this park.

I have added the information in the TAC laws listed above for your convenience. I hope this clears up any confusion about this matter. If you need further information please feel free to give me a call at the park.



Sincerely,



Donna Garde, Superintendent
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Wills Point, TX 75169
903-560-7123

Texas Administrative Code
TITLE 31
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
PART 2
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 59
PARKS
SUBCHAPTER A
PARK ENTRANCE AND PARK USER FEES
RULE §59.3
Activity and Facility Use Fees
(c) Fee ranges--Group Two:
(15) event fee:
(B) special public activities, festivals and exhibitions when authorized and conducted--fee is variable and may be combined or packaged with other use and/or concessions fees
Rules
§59.1
General Statement
§59.2
Park Entrance and Use Fees
§59.3
Activity and Facility Use Fees
(17) fees for special events, new activities, or new facilities are authorized by the commission. These fee amounts shall be established by the executive director or a designee;

Lake Tawakoni State Park
Daily Entrance Fees
Adult (13 and over) $3
Child (12 and under) No Charge
Group School-Sponsored Trip Tour Fee $1 - $5
Special entrance rates for holders of:

Texas State Parks Pass
Youth Group Annual Entrance Permit
Texas Parklands Passport ( Bluebonnet Pass )

Facility Use Fees
CAMPING
Maximum 8 people per campsite unless otherwise noted.

76 - Campsites with electric and water hook-ups. Sites have water & electricity, a fire ring and a tent pad.
$18

2 - Accessible Campsites with electric and water hook-ups. Sites have water & electricity, a fire ring, waist high grill and a tent pad.
$18

1 - Group Youth Area. This area consists of 4 primitive sites & a water and electric site (#62). Everyone must walk through site #62 to get to these sites. What is packed in must be packed out. Fire ring in the area. Sites are about 20 yards apart and are water front. Capacity is 35 people.
$42

18 ft. X 40 ft. canopy tent is available for rental at the park. It can be put on any site in the park. Contact the park for more details.
$55

Excess Vehicle Parking (number restricted at some parks)
$2

Excess Occupancy Fee
Variable

Activity Use Fees
Activity Use Fee Per Person (day or overnight) Park closed at 10:00 p.m. except to overnight campers.
$2

Park Operations Fee (special operating cost)
cost + 10%

Franchise Fee (percentage of gross sales)
Variable

Commercial Use Fee (Concession permit)
Variable

Event Fee
Variable

Fees For Filming Purposes (per day)
$250 - $5000

NOTES
Gate is open from 7am-10pm

basshunter, That is an answer, but a lot of extra stress on the Bass.