Collecting in Texas

Are there any members here who live in or around and collect in East Texas?

I stalked the woods, streams, and marshes of eastern Texas my entire life and I've collected some very interesting species over the years. In the small town I live in there are two separate streams that flow through town and I've found some interesting darters, madtoms, minnows, etc. Furthermore, I can collect all the Gambusia, bass, and sunfish that I can stand because they seem to inhabit every body of water larger than a mud puddle. As a further plus, the State of Texas defines most of the species you would consider for collection as "non-game species" and are therefore not subject to any state collection regulations so long as they're not on a protected or endangered list.

The reason I post this is because I am interested in contacting any members that live in this area for tips on where to find particular species. If ever I get around to putting an aquarium stand together for my latest aquarium, I plan doing a planted tank stocked with natives and I was hoping to get a better feel for exactly what's available in my area and where to find it. Any ideas?


Thanks all,

Jason

Well hey Jason,

Well it seems you know where everyghing is but are asking us to show you where. I am from Louisiana ( Lafayette ) so I only live a couple of hours from your border. I should say used to live. I was born and raised there. I will be in Lafayette next week but it will not be untill ~ the 20th of July that I want to start collecting for transport back to my home in Tennessee. I have never fished in Texas so I do not know what to tell you other than you might be able to tell me where the Western Dollar Sunfish hang out down there. Have you caught this species and ID'd it or not.

Sorry I could not provide you with the info I am not sure you are asking for and maybe that is why the other people on this forum did not respond either.

Cajun,

I know a little about collecting, yes. But I'm at a loss of where exactly to go to find particular species. With my post I was hoping to cross paths with someone in Eastern Texas that is also into this hobby. However, it seems that most who post here live to the East or Northeast of me. And there's nothing wrong with that; but I'm back to doing more exploring than catching.

As to the western dollar sunfish, I cannot tell you where to find them.

Thanks,

Jason