Texas Parks & Wildlife
Local Navigation Maincontent
search print friendly
Home Fishing & Boating Fishing Management Stocking
Fishing Links:
More Stocking Information:

Fish Stocking Reports

Statewide Reports by Type of Fish

Frequently Stocked Species

Other Species

Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists stock various species, strains, and hybrids in selected water bodies for experimental and research purposes. In the 1970s and '80s, The department tried stocking a number of species with the goal of providing additional sport fish for anglers. Some of these fishes, such as northern pike and orangemouth corvina, were native to the United States but not Texas. Others, including peacock bass and Nile perch, were brought from other countries. Most of these stockings have been discontinued: some fishes did not adapt well to Texas waters, and biologists are increasingly aware of the potential negative effects of introducing exotic species. For details, select a species below.

   

Reports by Water Body

Major lakes and saltwater bays

Rivers, small lakes, and ponds


Why Do We Stock Fish?

Stocking can be a useful fisheries management tool, but it is not a cure-all for poor fishing. The numbers spawned by wild populations usually outweigh the numbers produced and stocked by TPWD hatcheries. However, stocking can be helpful for:

  • Starting populations in new or renovated waters
  • Supplementing populations having insufficient natural reproduction
  • Increasing species diversity by introducing fishes such as striped bass
  • Restoring populations that have been reduced or eliminated by natural or man-made catastrophes
  • Providing catchable-size fish for educational activities and community fishing lakes
  • Enhancing the genetic make-up of a population (for example, Florida largemouth bass)
  • Taking advantage of improved habitat resulting from increased water level or new vegetation