Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s draft catfish management plan is now available for public review and comment. The document details the department’s overall plans for expanding and enhancing the state’s second-most popular fishery. It may be viewed at http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/catfish_plan_draft.pdf .

“We invite the public to give us feedback on the goals outlined in the plan,” said John Tibbs, a TPWD fisheries biologist who is one of the plan’s authors. “Our vision is to improve catfishing for all anglers in Texas, and we are open to ideas on how to best accomplish that.”

Tibbs said the plan was developed in response to changing population demographics, findings of TPWD fisheries studies and the needs of Texas’ catfish anglers. “Research shows that there is a need for greater fishing opportunities in urban areas close to where people live,” he said. “We are also seeing more anglers interested in trophy catfishing, but at the same time many people want to catch fish to eat or just for recreation. The new plan is designed to meet all those needs.”

Interested persons may complete an on-line survey accessed from a link embedded within the plan to express their opinions on what they feel are the most important fisheries management strategies in the plan. The draft plan will be available for public comment until midnight July 26, 2015. The final plan is due to be published in the fall of 2015.