Hello, I am new to here. I finally got a fishing Kayak, meaning my access to the fishing of South Central Texas, as well as the rest of the state, has exponentially increased. I've fished on and off over the past decade with license, and also while a minor. I plan on finally getting my money's worth for the license. I enjoy catch and release, but with more versatility in my access, I do intend to take my limit at times (Bass is tasty). I am wondering if there are any waters I should avoid taking fish in? Sadly, not all of the lakes, reservoirs, and rivers are the cleanest and it has been a while since I did anything but C&R. It is one thing to do C&R in not as clean bodies of water, but I don't want to eat run-off and other things that can taint the water and wildlife.

Thanks!

I do not keep any fish caught in any inner city water bodies. That is just me. I do know people who have been eating fish caught in major metro plex areas and have had no problems. If I eat fish they are usually from hill country creeks with good flow, country ponds that are spring fed, rivers with good currents and lakes with nice water and healthy grass beds. Texas Parks & Wildlife has water bodies listed that have consumption bands in place. It's on their web site.



Side Note: To the TFF!

Thank you! I hadn't found that page on their website. I found it now. Their website is amazing, but it is Texas sized. lol. You suggestion is great rule of thumb. It is odd, because I really started fishing in PA, so the lakes were actual lakes. If they had a dam, it was to keep water levels constant.

Texas has a lot of different types of water bodies. Lakes, city Lakes, city ponds, creeks, streams, rivers, water conservation revivors, and stock tanks. Wonder if I left out any.

You are missing bogs, mashes, and wetlands, but I think that covers it. As basically being discussed, not all "lakes" are the same, and certainly not all are the best for consuming the aquatic life.

to the TFF Mindrop!

I wouldn't eat something that was caught within the city limits of a major metro area. Exceptions may be made for major reservoirs that supply drinking water. Flowing rivers and creeks are probably fine with notable exceptions like the Trinity between Dallas and Ft Worth.

Any type of tank or retention pond is out for me unless it is supplied by a flowing stream and has enough flow to create a current in the pond to keep the water oxygenated and turned over.

Thanks! That is great advise.

Here is another consumption advisory site.

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/seafood/advisories-bans.aspx

Most of the advisories just limit the amount of fish you should eat.

to the site.

Awesome! Thanks!