Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) says it will release 20,528 eight- to 11-inch rainbow trout from the A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery into the Guadalupe River just below Canyon Lake dam beginning in December.
Guadalupe River Tout Unlimited (GRTU) considers this stretch of the Guadalupe River, also called the Canyon Tailrace, one of the top 100 trout streams in North America and also the southernmost trout stream in the United States.
Tentative stocking dates are Dec. 2, 9, 16, 22, and 29. In 2023 fish will be added on Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 and on Feb. 17 and 23.
Releases will occur at Guadalupe Park, Whitewater Camp, 4th Crossing, 3rd Crossing and Camp Hueco Springs.
GRTU says “holdovers” from last year are healthy.
Dates and locations are subject to change. Most trout stocking occurs between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Free public fishing access is provided year-round at Guadalupe Park and from December through March at Camp Huaco Springs, located on the east side of River Road about 0.3 miles south of the first bridge crossing.
Two sections of the Guadalupe River are subject to special harvest regulations on rainbow and brown trout. Trout must be caught on artificial lures and the following bag and size limits are in effect:
- Beginning 800 yards downstream from the Canyon Dam release case and extending to the easternmost bridge on FM 306 there is a 12- to 18-inch slot limit. Trout 12 inches and under or 18 inches and longer may be retained. Daily bag limit is five trout and only one can be 18 inches or longer.
- From the easternmost bridge on FM 306 downstream to the second bridge crossing on River Road there is an 18-inch minimum size limit and a one-trout daily bag.
According to TPWD regulations, anglers at leased areas have free access to the river from 30 minutes before daylight until 30 minutes after dusk. They may use the properties for bank fishing and to launch rafts, kayaks and canoes.
The state-of-the-art fish hatchery specializes in rearing fingerling sportfish for more than 300 Texas reservoirs.
For more information about TPWD’s 2022-2023 trout stocking schedule click here.
