From the depths of lake waters to slow- moving creek streams, the areas around Houston are plentiful with fishing opportunities. The Houston area is also home to some of the best fishing in the country, thanks in large part to the Gulf of Mexico.
In fact, Houston has the second-highest number of fishing licenses per capita in America, behind only New York City, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The FWS also reports that the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria metropolitan area has more than 1,000 miles of shoreline, making it the fourth-most productive fishing area in Texas.
The area also has a large population of anglers, with an estimated 1.5 million angling licenses issued annually.
Table of Contents
Is it legal to fish in Houston bayous?
It’s not only possible to go fishing in Houston‘s Buffalo Bayou, but you can also catch a range of fish. It is not recommended to eat your catch. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends a catch-and-release fishing policy for Buffalo Bayou.
The TPWD’s catch and release policy states, “No person shall take or release any fish from the waters of the bayou except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.”
The policy goes on to state that “no person may take, release, sell, offer for sale, purchase, or otherwise dispose of any live or dead fish or any part thereof, except as provided in this section and in rules adopted by the department.” In other words, if you catch a fish, you have to release it, no matter how big or small it is.
If you don’t, it’s considered a nuisance and you could be fined up to $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for each subsequent offense. You could also be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $500 fine.
Can you fish at Hermann Park?
Bob’s Fishing Pier is located on the western side of the lake. It only applies to those aged 12 and younger and 65 and older. Those between the ages of 12 and 65 are required to have a fishing license. They said to catch and release.
Where can you fish for free in Texas?
Free fishing can be found in rivers and creek from a bank or pier. Along the shore of our coastal state parks, you can wade fish in the surf. It is possible to fish for free from a boat on a lake or pond that is open to the public.
Can you eat the fish from Lake Houston?
The seafood consumption advisory for the Houston Ship Channel has been updated by the Texas Department of State Health Services to state that no person should eat seafood caught in the Houston Ship Channel. The advisory was issued in response to a report from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that found elevated levels of PCBs in fish caught off the coast of Houston.
The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for enforcing the federal Clean Water Act, which prohibits the discharge of pollutants into the Gulf of Mexico and other bodies of water that are considered to be “navigable” for human consumption. PCB levels in blue crabs, shrimp, oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops were found to exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The MCL is set at 50 parts per billion (ppb) for fish and 50 ppb for shellfish.
Can I keep fish I catch?
You don’t have to worry about storing fish if you have access to ice and/or refrigeration. It’s important to keep a fish alive or chilled until it’s stored. It is possible to keep a whole fish for a day before it needs to be refrigerated.
Once you’ve caught your fish, you’ll need to store it in a cool, dry place. The best place for storing fish is in the freezer. If you don’t have a freezer, place the fish in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature until you’re ready to eat it.
Is Lake Houston swimmable?
Lake Houston is an important part of the area‘s recreational offerings. Excellent fishing and boating opportunities can be found at the lake, which was formed by the damming of the San Jacinto River. The lake is also home to a number of wildlife species, including the Texas Longhorn.
Lake Houston is a popular destination for boaters, kayakers, and canoeists. It’s also a great place for birdwatchers, especially during the spring and fall migrations. For more information, visit the Houston Audubon Society’s website at www.houstontx.org.
Does Houston have a pier?
The pier is expected to draw visitors from Houston and other Texas communities, as well as fans throughout the country. The ride hours are not always the same. Click here to see the current schedule.
