TPW shut down fishing because of freezing weather?

[BigThicketBoy]

Don't think I remember them doing this before?

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[MitchParker]

That seems strange. Would love to know rationale behind it.

[Walker]

Its been a few years, but theyve done it several times in the past. Barges even stop running thru this area voluntarily for the duration of the cold event. Supposed to be around 28-30 on the island tonight. Saw 2 dead trout in my canal this afternoon. My water is about 4ft deep.

[CoolHandLuke]

A guide down in Pt Mansfield said the wardens shut down fishing in the harbor. The trout move in the deeper water of the harbor when it gets real cold and people line up to fill up their coolers. They will do it multiple times a day and its easier for them to shut down the fishing than patrol and check all the people fishing.

[Quackerbox]

Its been a few years, but theyve done it several times in the past. Barges even stop running thru this area voluntarily for the duration of the cold event. Supposed to be around 28-30 on the island tonight. Saw 2 dead trout in my canal this afternoon. My water is about 4ft deep.

This. Its happened before

Fish pile into the deep water to escape the freeze. At least this time the weather came over a period of a few days and the fish knew the move. When it comes over night they just die. The coastal fishery has been very lucky in the last few years. I hope to never see another freeze kill

[CaptainDave]

That seems strange. Would love to know rationale behind it.

As stated, the fish move into deep water when it gets really cold; i.e. deep channels, bayous, etc. The deeper water is a bit warmer. When the water temps are below 50, the fish become very vulnerable as well; some won't even survive.

If you know where some of these cold weather holes are, you can limit out rather quickly. Actually, you can do this about any winter, but when it gets too cold, TPWD will just shut it down.

Bottom line, the fish get pretty vulnerable when it gets real cold. These shut-downs are rare; as is the water temp right now.

[ranchdog]

I have seen this before and people will snag them with treble hooks as float up struggling to survive. That's one reason why they close it.

[Duke1227]

Same thing as above, like shooting them in a barrel I suppose...

[Lawhorn]

The harbor in Pt Mansfield has been closed multiple times in the past. Fish seek refuge in the harbor during the frigid temps and TPWD protects them by closing fishing while they are avoiding the colder waters.


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