Galveston Island

Visit www.tpwd.texas.gov/outdoor-annual for the most current regulations. GALVESTON ISLAND STATE PARK 14901 F.M. 3005, Galveston, TX 77554 (409) 737-1222 Other info: www.texasstateparks.org FISHING tip sheet Local Emergency: Where to Fish: Licenses and Restrictions: Call 911 for medical emergencies only; all others call (409) 737-3771 Fishing restricted to shoreline access or wade fishing. A fishing license is not required to fish within the boundaries of a state park. When fishing from a pier or other man-made structure within a state park, there is a limit of two fishing poles per person. License requirements must be observed if you fish from a boat. SPECIES DAILY BAG LIMIT LENGTH: MIN-MAX Amberjack: greater Bass: largemouth Bass: striped, hybrid-striped and subspecies Catfish: channel, blue, hybrids and subspecies Catfish: flathead Catfish: gafftopsail Cobia Drum: black Drum: red Flounder: all species, hybrids and subspecies Gar, alligator Grouper: goliath (formerly jewfish) Mackerel: king Mackerel: Spanish Marlin: blue Marlin: white Mullet: all species, hybrids and subspecies Sailfish Seatrout: spotted Shark: Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, bonnethead e Other allowable shark species (see Outdoor Annual) e,f Sheepshead Snapper: lane Snapper: red Snapper: vermilion Snook Tarpon Triggerfish, gray Tripletail 1 5 5 (in any combination) 25 (in any combination) 5 No Limit 2 5 3 5/2 (see Outdoor Annual) 1 NONE 2 15 No Limit No Limit No Limit No Limit 5 1 for all allowable species 5 No Limit 4 No Limit 1 1 20 3 Min: 34” – Max: No Limit Min: 14” – Max: No Limit Min: 18” – Max: No Limit Min: 12” – Max: No Limit Min: 18” – Max: No Limit Min: 14” – Max: No Limit Min: 40” – Max: No Limit Min:14” – Max: 30” a Min: 20” – Max: 28” b Min: 14” – Max: No Limit Min: No Limit – Max: No Limit Catch and Release ONLY Min: 27” – Max: No Limit Min: 14” – Max: No Limit Min: 131” – Max: No Limit Min: 86” – Max: No Limit Max: 12” c Min: 84” – Max: No Limit Min: 15” – Max: 25” d Min: 24” – Max: No Limit Min: 64” – Max: No Limit Min: 15” – Max: No Limit Min: 8” – Max: No Limit Min: 15” – Max: No Limit Min: 10” – Max: No Limit Min: 24” – Max: 28” Min: 85” – Max: No Limit Min: 16” – Max: No Limit Min: 17” – Max: No Limit 1 for all allowable species; Non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state waters. Daily bag limit is 1 fish for all allowable shark species INCLUDING Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip and bonnethead. Prohibited shark species: Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Oceanic Whitetip, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, White.A All other fish: statewide bag and length limits apply. a b c d e f No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day. This fish counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept with a properly completed Red Drum Tag attached and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag is in addition to the daily bag and possession limit. Mullet 12” or greater may not be taken from public waters or possessed on board a boat from October through January. No more than one spotted seatrout over the maximum length limit may be kept per person per day. This fish counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state waters. Daily bag limit is 1 fish for all allowable shark species INCLUDING Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip and bonnethead. Prohibited shark species: Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Oceanic Whitetip, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, White. © 2019 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. PWD LF P4504-042H (9/19) HA N DY FISH ING BASICS HOW TO TIE A FISHING KNOT NATURAL BAIT HOOK PLACEMENT The palomar knot is very strong and easy to tie. HOW TO MEASURE FISH Pinch the tail together and take the longest measurement from nose to tail. Freshwater fish TIPS FOR RELEASING FISH SAFELY 1. For safety for you and a quick release of fish, mash down the barb of the hook with pliers. 2. Quickly play and release fish as soon as possible (take photos quickly). 3. Remove hook with pliers or cut line if the hook has been swallowed. 4. Gently place fish back into water. 5. Revive fish by holding upright in water and facing it into the current, gently forcing water through gills. Saltwater fish 6. If you don’t intend to eat the fish, NEVER place it on a stringer. FISHING ETHICS SAFETY • Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your head, eyes and skin. • Use insect repellent – but keep off hands, as you will be handling bait and live fish. • Look behind you before each cast to avoid hooking someone or getting caught in a tree (practice casting before you go fishing). • Bring plenty of drinking water to prevent dehydration; soft drinks encourage dehydration. • Wear a life jacket if you cannot swim or you are uncom- fortable around the water. Supervise young children: it only takes a second for them to slip under the surface. Kids under 13 must wear life jackets if fishing from a boat. Before doing anything, ask yourself the following questions: • • • Is it legal? Would it be good if everyone did it? Would it make you proud? Ethical behavior is more than just following the fishing regulations. Ethical people go beyond what laws require and demonstrate good judgment and behavior for everyone – even if no one sees you do something ethical. Ethical behavior includes picking up trash around the area you have been fishing, calmly and politely explaining to others if they are breaking fishing regulations, and respecting the rights of other anglers and those that use the water in other ways.