TPW Commission approves emergency rule
At its March 24 meeting, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved an Emergency Rule changing the speckled trout limits and size restrictions in the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre.

The rule will provide for a three-fish limit (as opposed to the current five-fish limit) and size restrictions of 17-23 inches (as opposed to the current 15-25 inches, with one fish allowed over 25 inches).

The changes will apply from the JFK Causeway south to the Rio Grande River inshore, and also will apply to surf-fishing.

Robin Reichers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Director of Coastal Fisheries, told the commission the changes would result in a 27-percent increase in the spawning stock biomass over current limits, although it takes two years to accomplish those results.

“The changes would help keep fish in the water through the spawning season (late April through September),” he said.

TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith said the changes would begin when the Emergency Rule is filed with the Secretary of State, with a goal of filing the rule on April 1, giving the department time to issue press releases to notify anglers of the changes.

The commission expressed the desire to law enforcement that the changes initially be treated largely as educational, with warnings instead of citations until anglers become aware of the rule change.

This is a great thing, with so many of us on the water nowadays. I would like to see this include more of the coast that was impacted.

I was hoping for catch and release for 2 years then maybe this new law for 2 more years after. But it is better then nothing.

Glad to see the change.

Exactly can't figure out why it is limited to LLM. Some of the numbers TPWD is putting out regarding dead trout in East Matty is so far in left field. It's been well documented how hard that bay was impacted.

Totally agree. Try some CPR and just keep a small bag to eat. More hush puppies and fries 🍟

Hopefully the fish stocks recover quickly

Good news for Louisiana guides

Yup, very good news

Without bashing or harassing TP&W or CCA, I think if we spoke with these groups in a professional manor. I believe we could get a changed limit. I have expressed my concern to CCA and would like to contact TP&W this week about it.

Just a thought, but I agree something needs to be done.

After a couple of months of fishing in the Aransas/Rockport areas, talking to friends and hearing from guides I can say with confidence trout numbers are down close to half of what has been historically caught. Jay Watkins thinks they're down about 60%, Again in the Aransas/Rockport areas. I'm guessing these numbers are similar northward up to East Matty. A change really needs to happen and soon before the new influx of fish in our bays hide the truth of the impact the freeze had.

Based on Facebook, looks like redfish are a casualty of the reduced trout numbers. I expect redfish stock to get hammered over the next couple of years. Guides are too good at their jobs.