Creating New Anglers in Texas' Major Cities and Strategies to Retain Them

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) began an urban fishing program now known as Neighborhood Fishin’ (NF) in 2003.   The program consists of bi-weekly stockings of harvestable-size Channel Catfish (April-November except August) and Rainbow Trout (November-March) into small waterbodies (0.7-7.5 acres) located within large metropolitan areas.  Local partnerships and funding generated by the Toyota Texas Bass Classic support the program.  In 2012-2013, a year-long study examining effort, catch, harvest, and angler demographics was undertaken for 14 NF sites.  Overall, sites were well-utilized with an estimated 275,632 hours of angling effort by 81,269 different anglers.  “New anglers” (youth and lapsed adults) made up 46% of users.  About 33% reported they only fished at the NF site; 99% would fish the site again; and nearly half stated they had fished the site the year prior.  Targeted Hispanic groups were better represented at NF lakes than in the general license-buying population.  The TPWD recently stepped-up efforts to identify and develop diversified angling opportunities in its major cities that involve other species, larger waters, and more advanced techniques for anglers seeking experiences beyond what is offered by NF.  Combined, they will cover a full spectrum of angling opportunities for a growing population in Texas.