Fishing for Future Anglers

Forshage, A., Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 5550 FM 2495, Athens, Texas, 75751, (903) 670-2224, Fax (903) 676-3474, allen.forshage@tpwd.state.tx.us

Most fisheries managers in the nation are dealing with a dramatic decline in fishing license sales. Texas fishing license sales have declined dramatically since peaking in 1983. Officials blame urbanization, cost, and increased competition for leisure time. Responses to this problem have precipitated an assortment of aquatic and sportfishing promotions designed to recruit new anglers. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Inland Fisheries staff has reached over 103,842 youth through 558 youth fishing events from January 1, 1996 to August 31, 1999. In addition, in 1996 a new educational-based fisheries outreach facility, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, opened an agency-city-private collaboration. The focus of this effort was to provide an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation, and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas. In addition, the center was designed to generate revenue to defray the cost of operations. In the first three years of operation, the center has had 213,858 visitors of which 73,920 were school-age youth and generated over one million dollars in project income.

Copyright © 1999
Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Last modified: 03/03/04 04:15:38 PM