Purtis Creek

PURTIS CREEK STATE PARK Visit www.tpwd.texas.gov/outdoor-annual for the most current regulations. 14225 F.M. 316 • Eustace, TX 75124 (903) 425-2332 Other info: www.texasstateparks.org Local Emergency: Call 911 Where to Fish: The park features two lighted fishing piers, shoreline and boat access. Licenses and Restrictions: A fishing license is not required at Purtis Creek State Park (our lake is completely within the boundaries of the 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. Fishing is by pole and line only. HARVEST REGULATIONS SPECIES DAILY BAG LIMIT LENGTH: MIN-MAX Bass: largemouth Min: No Limit – Max: 16” Bass: smallmouth Bass: Alabama, Guadalupe, spotted 5 (in any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe and spotted) Min: 14” – Max: No Limit 5 (in any combination) No Limit 5 Min: 18” – Max: No Limit 25 (in any combination) Min: 10” – Max: No Limit No Limit No Limit Catfish: channel, blue Catfish: flathead Crappie: black, white Sunfish No Limit All other fish: statewide bag and length limits apply. * Largemouth bass 24” or greater in length may be held temporarily in a live well or other aerated holding device and immediately weighed using personal scales. Bass weighing 13 pounds or more may be donated to the ShareLunker program; otherwise, the fish must be immediately released in the lake where caught. Anglers wishing to donate their bass must immediately cease fishing and contact TPWD at (903) 681-0550. Anglers may not remove the bass from the immediate vicinity of the reservoir unless instructed to do so by TPWD staff. Bass not accepted by TPWD must be immediately released. SPECIES FISHING OPPORTUNITIES © 2022 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT Largemouth Bass Catfish Crappie Sunfish 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 P4508-105E (12/22) 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.