Texas Game Wardens Seize 18 Illegally Spearfished Black Bass at Lady Bird Lake
One person was snorkeling and spearing the fish with a pneumatic speargun — which violates state fishing regulations
This is a large harvest that could threaten bass population.
NOTE: this article was originally published to San Antonio Express News' Apple News channel on January 5, 2024. It was written by Elizabeth L. T. Moore.
Two people fishing on Lady Bird Lake were discovered with 18 unlawfully taken black bass, a large harvest that could threaten bass population in the localized area, according to Texas game wardens.
One person was snorkeling and spearing the fish with a pneumatic speargun — which violates state fishing regulations — while the other waited onshore with a cooler and a bag on Dec. 30, officials said.
All together, the illegally caught fish weighed more than 76 pounds and measured a combined 348 inches. Fourteen of them were larger than 18 inches, and nine of them were larger than 20 inches.
Black bass has a daily bag limit of five at Lady Bird Lake. They must measure 14 inches or fewer, and only one may be 21 inches or greater.
Officials seized the fish, speargun and gear, and they donated the bass for consumption.
The suspects, located by a Travis County game warden and captain game warden responding to a public tip, will receive fines and restitution charges. They face multiple citations for illegal fishing methods and unlawful possession of black bass, officials said.