PORT ARTHUR — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset Sunday, July 15.

    Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials report the opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.

    “The purpose of the closed Gulf season is to protect brown shrimp during their major period of emigration from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico until they reach a larger, more valuable size before harvest and to prevent waste caused by the discarding of smaller individuals.}

    Federal waters (from 9 to 200 nautical miles offshore) will open at the same time that state waters will open.

    This is good news for offshore anglers who can tap into the incredible action for king mackerel and shark behind the culling boats.

    Now onto the report…

    North Sabine---The main lake is producing fair action for trout and reds under birds early and late on live bait and a variety of plastics.  Flounder are fair to good along the Louisiana shoreline but most of the fish are small.

    South Sabine---Trout and reds are fair under schools of shad along the south shoreline and in the mid lake area. Anglers fishing around lights at night are catching solid numbers of trout on live shrimp. Flounder are fair but running small along the Louisiana shoreline.

    Sabine Pass---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report good action for trout in the surf on calm days. The jetties are good for sheepshead on live shrimp. Anglers are catching scattered trout and reds at the jetties as well.

    Sabine River---Anglers are reporting solid action for big trout in the river south of the Port of Orange on live mullet. Reds are scattered. Very few reports of bass.

    Lake Calcasieu (Big Lake)---Hackberry Rod and Gun reports solid trout action for trout and reds drifting live mullet, shrimp, and Texas Tackle Factory Flat’s Minnows over shell throughout the system. Look for fair flounder action around the deep bayou cuts.

    Sam Rayburn---Texas Parks & Wildlife officials report largemouths are fair on minnows and dark crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows and small spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles in 20–25 feet. Bream are good on nightcrawlers. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait and cut bait.

    Toledo Bend---Holly Park Marina reports largemouths are good on dark-colored worms and crawworms on Texas rigs. Crappie are good on shiners fished in 28 to 30 feet of water down 18 feet on shiners. White bass are good on slabs and spoons in the Patroon area. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with cut and prepared bait.

LAKE LEVELS

TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 169.09 Was 169.27

RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 162.90 Was: 163.24

B.A. STEIN HAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.33 Was: 82.50