Texas Lakes Stocked to Boost Fishing Season

Thousands of fish added to lakes and ponds across the state to sustain populations and enhance angling opportunities.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph showing the silhouette of a fisherman casting a line into a calm, reflective pond surrounded by soft, out-of-focus greenery, conceptually representing the tranquil experience of community fishing.Stocking programs help sustain Texas' fishing opportunities, providing anglers with reliable access to quality catches close to home.Wichita Falls Today

Texas officials are stocking lakes and ponds with thousands of fish this season as part of an ongoing effort to improve fishing opportunities and sustain aquatic populations. The stocking program helps maintain species that can't reproduce naturally in Texas waters, as well as recover fish populations after environmental events. Smaller, community ponds like South Weeks Park Pond are regularly stocked to increase anglers' chances of success close to home.

Why it matters

Stocking programs are crucial for maintaining healthy fish populations and enhancing recreational fishing in Texas, which is a major economic driver for many communities. By regularly stocking lakes and ponds, the state can ensure anglers have reliable access to quality fishing experiences, especially in urban areas where natural reproduction may be limited.

The details

According to inland fish biologist Westley Dutter, stocking is used to sustain populations of hybrid striped bass and striped bass, which don't naturally reproduce in Texas waters. Stocking also helps recover fish populations after catastrophic environmental events. The stocking program targets smaller, community ponds like South Weeks Park Pond, which is part of a statewide initiative that receives channel catfish every two weeks to provide close-to-home fishing opportunities.

  • On April 10, South Weeks Pond was stocked with 142 channel catfish.
  • South Weeks Pond is scheduled to receive its next batch of fish on April 24, with additional stockings planned every two weeks through the summer.

The players

Westley Dutter

An inland fish biologist who oversees the stocking program in Texas.

Ray Enos

A local angler who fishes at South Weeks Park Pond and appreciates the consistent stocking efforts.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The state agency responsible for managing the fish stocking program across Texas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We do it to sustain populations like hybrid striped bass and striped bass, because those fish don't naturally reproduce in our waters, so they have to be sustained through stockings.”

— Westley Dutter, Inland Fish Biologist

“This pond is part of a statewide program. It's one of 18 lakes around the state that gets stocked every two weeks with channel catfish. That's why we stock on a regular basis to provide an opportunity for people to come catch a fish close to home.”

— Westley Dutter, Inland Fish Biologist

“We understand that they stock it every now and then, and that there's a little better chance of a small pond like this that is being stocked better than just going to a big lake and not knowing where to go.”

— Ray Enos, Local Angler

“Every now and then, you catch a good one, and it's like golf when you hit a good shot. That's the one that makes you want to come back and play more. You catch a good fish, and that makes you want to come back and fish more.”

— Ray Enos, Local Angler

What’s next

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plans to continue stocking efforts throughout the fishing season, with the next batch of fish scheduled for South Weeks Pond on April 24 and additional stockings every two weeks through the summer.

The takeaway

Texas' fish stocking program plays a vital role in maintaining healthy aquatic populations and enhancing recreational fishing opportunities, especially in smaller, community ponds that provide close-to-home angling experiences for local residents. By regularly stocking these waters, the state can ensure anglers have reliable access to quality fishing and boost participation in this important outdoor activity.