Waterfowl Hunters Reminded to Help Prevent Spread of Giant Salvinia




AUSTIN –With duck hunting season getting underway in most of the state in early November, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding waterfowl hunters to clean, drain and dry boats and equipment before traveling from lake to lake to help avoid spreading invasive species like giant salvinia.

“Giant salvinia is often thought of as a plant that blocks recreational access for anglers and boaters, but it can cause serious problems for waterfowl hunters too,” said John Findeisen, Brookeland Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Team Lead. “Not only does it form thick mats that block access for hunters to prime waterfowl hunting areas, it can also outgrow and replace the native plants that waterfowl rely on for food and habitat.”

In addition to cleaning their boats and trailers, hunters should also make sure they aren’t inadvertently carrying the invasive species on other equipment like waders, decoys and marsh sleds. A video to help hunters properly clean, drain and dry can be found at bit.ly/HunterCleanDrainDry.

Giant salvinia is currently present on 16 East Texas lakes, including Caddo Lake, Lake Conroe, B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir, Lake Livingston, Lake Murvaul, Lake Nacogdoches, Lake Naconiche, Lake O’ the Pines, Lake Palestine, Lake Raven, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Sheldon Reservoir, Lake Striker, Lake Texana, Lake Timpson, Hemphill City Lake, and Toledo Bend Reservoir. Additionally, giant salvinia can also be found in most, if not all, of the rivers, creeks, and marshes between Houston and Beaumont.

Findeisen noted that giant salvinia can hide undetected in any body of water, so proper cleaning, draining and drying procedures should be done before leaving any lake – even those that aren’t known to be infested.

Because early detection is an important part of reducing or eliminating the presence of giant salvinia, TPWD encourages hunters to report new sightings to (409) 698- 9121 or via the online report form.
Text TPWD GS to 468-311 for updates on giant salvinia (GS).

 




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Possum Kingdom Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Sep. 10)

FAIR. Water stained; 86-89 degrees; 0.84 feet below pool. Water clarity is 2-8 feet of visibility. Stripers are slow. Live bait is your best bet. Nothing is being caught trolling at the moment. Look for them in 20-40 feet of water. They are moving fast, so you will have to slowly move around and just pick them off one at a time till you find a good school. Then try to stay on top of the school, which can be extremely tough as they are moving fast. Sand bass are fair. Look for them in 10-20 feet of water on main lake points and sand flats. Chrome and white seem to be outproducing all other colors. Catfish are good. Baited holes are your best bet to catch numbers but will not produce big fish. Bait with cattle cubes and wait 2-3 hours before fishing. Use punch bait for best results on baited holes. Report by TJ Ranft, Ranft Guide Service. Bass are slow due to population, but the fishery is recovering. Main river channel ledges. Stripers

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