My buddy just sent me a picture of an alligator in a lake of Houston, which makes me wonder if there is also any alligator here in DFW? I only saw some in the Dallas zoo though^_-)

I just got a toon and ready to explore more water. I'd like to avoid getting into their territory.

Thanks

Lake Worth

Thanks for the info, Txwhitacre, Bass fro chop. Got to find a buddy when I got out next time.

we do have gators. but they dont like being around people much. they will dive to avoid you most every time. The Trinity has some biggens & have also heard there are some on the brazos and creeks around the Arlington area. They would prefer to eat fish, dogs, cats, coons, snakes & possums than a tooner. theyd have to be real big or sick to want to eat a full grown man. I think youll be ok.

Thank ZomBie.

I did more search in the forum and found this post very useful as well:
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/topic/471236/gonew/1
"Quick summary - I wouldn't worry about gators or change my fishing unless I was wading through way back shallow swamps or had small kids or dogs with me. Even then I would just be more carefull.
... ...
Just watch for them - which takes a little practice. When you see them, remember they have a brain the size of your thumb and a simple program. they think about a few things:
I want to sleep (most of the time)
I want to eat (usually snails and small fish)
I want to mate (Apr-May)
I want to protect my nest (July-Aug)"

I have been fishing in Texas rivers and lakes across the state and never seen an alligator. Chances are I won't see one ever.

When I lived in Florida they were everywhere. When we would swim in the lakes we would just not go in the water where we saw them. Plus they are afraid of boats and humans so they tend to stay away

From the sounds of your last post dbsj, you really want to say away from them in April adn May. LOL

This thread title is awesome.

I've never seen one, but I hear they're out there.

Everyone talks about there being gators in the Hubbard 'river', and there are some pictures out there, but I've fished the area pretty extensively over the past couple years logging dozens of trips and haven't seen any signs of one myself... If theyre in there theyre hiding from people. Would be great habitat for them for sure so wouldn't be surprised if I did see one. Some big snakes in there though! There's some well documented gators in the ft worth nature center area of lake worth... I tend to think that when I head east of say terrell all the waters have a good chance of having gators. Seen lots of pics of gators in Fork but numerous trips have revealed no personal sightings. Talked to a guy at the ramp last year who has been fishing the lake 2-3 times a month since the early 90s and he had never seen one. They are there though.

Point is... The trinity in our area is the western/northern edge of their range. Sightings are very rare, and it's also worth mentioning that there has never been a fatality attributed to a gator attack in all of Texas. If you are lucky enough to see one, keep a respectful distance and you will have no troubles.

What I worry about most in our waters is coming up on a bunch of cottonmouths during spawning season. They can be aggressive in that situation. Years of paddling and fishing in 'moccasin' waters and it still hasn't happened yet. You're much more in danger walking the banks IMO.

The biggest danger is other people

Years ago 1986 ish. I had a sea eagle inflatable and was way up in a north arm of lake fork and had a 9 footer come straight at me to about 10 ft away and submerge and go under te raft and surfaced about 20 ft on the other side of me. He jus kept going. Funny I did not feel scared more intrigried when I saw him.

I have seen more than my fair share at Lake Fork. They avoided me and the boat. I have not encountered one in a yak.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience.

What Zombie said. Grew up in South Louisiana and generally didn't worry about gators until they were in the 12ft range. Even then, as long as you see them you're ok. It's the one you don't see that'll get you.