Chester Moore, Jr
CNHI
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Thanks to action in the U.S. House of Representatives, sportsmen-conservationists across the country have received good news according to officials with Ducks Unlimited (DU).
The House passed legislation, H.R. 3534, which includes 30 years of full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
“The House also adopted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ron Kind (WI) that will utilize $13.5 million of annual authorized LWCF funding for projects to secure recreational public access from willing sellers on federal lands using easements, rights-of-way or fee title acquisitions. DU supported the specific provision of H.R. 3534 that addresses full funding and permanent appropriation status for the LWCF, but has not taken a position on the full bill.”
DU reported LWCF is the repository of that portion of offshore oil and gas revenues collected by the federal government that are to be used for land and water conservation. This account typically collects more than $1 billion each year, but has continually been funded far below its authorized level of $900 million.
“The LWCF provisions in the legislation will provide full and dedicated funding to fulfill some of the recreation needs of our country for the next 30 years,” said DU CEO Dale Hall.
“LWCF serves waterfowlers and the wetlands in which they hunt not only by funding acquisition of critical habitat in their states, but just as importantly, by protecting waterfowl breeding grounds through the purchase of voluntary conservation easements on private lands, such as in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region. This increased funding would have a dramatic impact on conserving our nation’s priority waterfowl habitat.”
These monies are used to acquire public lands to be used for habitat conservation and for outdoor recreation.
Now onto the report…
North Sabine---Redfish and trout remain fair on mullet fished around drop-offs in the Neches River. There are fish under the birds but it has been tough getting pas the ladyfish. Use spoons and heavy jigheads to get under them. Very few reports of flounder.
South Sabine---Capt. Phillip Samuels reports the bigger trout and redfish are in the channel and taking mullet around drop-offs. Most of the schooling action on the lake is under ladyfish, which are making it tough to get to the trout and reds. Fish spoons and plastics with heavy jigheads to get under them. Very few reports of flounder.
Sabine Pass---King mackerel are good around the rigs by trolling. Tripletail are fair around weedlines and buoys along with scattered ling. Several anglers have reported getting caught in big storms in the Gulf so use caution when fishing in the Gulf.
Sabine River-- Redfish are good but running small on shad fished under a popping cork. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on small topwaters. A few trout are being caught around the DuPont Outfall Canal south to Middle Pass along the shoreline under ladyfish.
Calcasieu (Big Lake )---The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports the short rigs are producing good numbers of trout on calm days on live mullet. Anglers fishing over shell and along the shorelines have caught fair to good numbers of trout on mullet, Hackberry Hustlers and Gulp. Reds are fair to good around the weirs. Very few reports of flounder.
Sam Rayburn---Guide Roger Bacon reports largemouths are fair on the outer edge of hydrilla on Senkos and Carolina-rigged worms. Crappie are good on shiners fished over brush in 20 feet of water. Catfish are fair to good around baited brush on shiners and dead shrimp.
Toledo Bend---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good but small on redbug and watermelon red soft plastic worms and crankbaits in the boating lanes. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver striper jigs. White bass are fair on silver spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and blue/green tube jigs over baited holes in 20 feet. Bream are good on nightcrawlers and crickets in 2 – 8 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait, stinkbait, livers, and hearts. Yellow catfish are slow.
Lake Livingston---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good on soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good on hellbenders, pet spoons, and green Charlie slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shad. Yellow catfish are slow.
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LAKE LEVELS
TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 167.65 Was 167.84
RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 159.47 Was: 159.90
B.A. STEIN HAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.36 Was: 82.09
Chester Moore, Jr. is The News Outdoors Editor.
