After months of adjusting to “the new normal” and finding different ways to fill time while staying safe, one peaceful pastime has persevered into the age of social distancing: fishing at the various ponds, lakes, and rivers around the Bryan College Station area. For people considering picking up a fishing rod and trying their hand at the sport, here’s a guide with everything from fishing licenses to fishing spots with tips from the Texas Parks and Wildlife website and the Bait Barn Fisheries.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, residents who fish in the public waters of Texas need a license. There are a few exceptions, like being under the age of 17 or fishing on private property. Licenses can be purchased online at txfgsales.com, and prices vary depending on which one is purchased. In addition to obtaining a license, Stephanie Patranella, co-owner and operator of the Bait Barn Fisheries, says equipment people need to purchase before hitting the water include a rod and reel, a hook, bobbers or weights, and bait or lures.
“In the rivers, the bait which people use is called Hybrid Bluegill, or as we call it, a perch,” Patranella says. “In local ponds and stuff it’s good to use minnows and lures. Minnows in most of our ponds do great, but worms are always easy to use and stay alive a lot longer than a minnow or perch will.”
Patranella says people can expect to catch catfish, crappie, gar, bass, and more in local lakes such as Lake Bryan and Lake Somerville.
“There’s an Urban Fishing Program in Central Park, along with the city of College Station and Texas Parks and Wildlife, where they stock lakes every two weeks from April through July and September through November,” Patranella says. “They’re stocked with 1-pound catfish, and that is strictly for catch and take if you have your fishing license.”
Despite being somewhat far inland, B/CS has various freshwater fishing spots in the forms of lakes, rivers, and creeks, Patranella says.
“Lake Limestone is kind of a hidden gem, and the lake in front of the College Station Police Department is kept well-stocked,” Patranella says.
For more information, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish.
Fishing Licenses Fishing licenses vary in price depending on factors such as whether the water is freshwater or saltwater, if the fisherman is a senior citizen or not, and whether they want a year-long license or a day pass. The All-Water passes allow fishermen to fish both in saltwater and freshwater. Below are a few standard licenses and their prices:
- Freshwater Package: $30
- All-Water Package: $40
- Senior Freshwater Package: $12
- Senior All-Water Package: $22
- One-Day All-Water License: $11
Fishing Locations in the B/CS area The B/CS area offers various public fishing locations. At all public fishing locations, fishermen should be sure to have their fishing license with them. Some local locations include:
- Lake Bryan
- Central Park
- Lake Somerville
- Central Church ponds
- John Crompton Park
- Fin Feather Lake
- Gabbard Park
