The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Division has selected 21 projects to be supported by the new Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP). The program, which launched in June 2021, is primarily funded by the purchase of freshwater fishing licenses.
“The Habitat and Angler Access Program offers us a new opportunity to support much needed fish habitat enhancement initiatives and shoreline-based access improvements that will improve conservation of fisheries resources and quality of angling for Texans,” says Michael Homer, Abilene District fisheries biologist and HAAP coordinator. “We anticipate these projects will be successful for increasing fishing access, expanding and restoring crucial habitat for important fish populations, as well as developing and fostering partnerships with local partners who can benefit from this new program in the future.”
HAAP grants of up to $50,000 are awarded to support individual fish habitat improvement and angler access projects on public ponds, large reservoirs, creeks, and rivers. These projects include the development or improvement of fishing piers, installation of underwater dock lighting, bank and shoreline stabilization, the creation of jetties, installation of erosion control features, native plant restoration, deployment of artificial fish attractors, dredging of excessive silt and organic materials from waterbodies with a high potential for quality fishery development, as well as the construction of non-motorized boat launches for kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft for fishing access.
This first round of projects is expected to be completed by summer of 2023. The next request for proposals for fiscal years 2024-25 will be announced in the spring of 2023.
Projects selected for 2022-23 are listed below:
- Angler Access Improvements on the Colorado River at the Texas River School’s Camp
- Angler Access Improvements on the Nueces River at Cooksey Park
- Bandera Angler Park on the Medina River
- City of Early Town Center Fishing Piers
- City of Early Town Center Pond Fish Habitat Establishment and Shoreline Stabilization
- Central Texas Streams Riparian Reforestation Program
- Fish Habitat and Angler Access Improvements at Old Hidalgo Pump House Channel
- Flatrock Angler Access Project on the South Llano River
- Lady Bird Lake Habitat and Access Improvements
- Lake Dunlap Habitat Improvements
- Lake Fork Fish Habitat Enhancement
- Lake Lewisville Kayak Angler Access
- Lake Murvaul Native Plant Restoration
- Lake Wichita Kayak Launch
- Neighborhood Fishin’ Program Water Quality Improvements in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area
- Neighborhood Fishin’ Program Shoreline Habitat and Fishing Access in the Houston Area
- Fish Habitat Improvements at Resoft Park in Brazoria County
- Riparian Restoration & Bank Re-Stabilization on the Paluxy River in Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Riparian Restoration at San Felipe Creek
- Small Craft and Shoreline Access on Middle Bosque on Lake Waco
- Waco-Area Fish Habitat Improvements
For detailed information about the projects being supported during 2022-23, visit the HAAP projects webpage. More information about the Habitat and Angler Access Program, including future requests for proposals, can be found under the Fisheries Grants section of the TPWD Grants and Assistance web page.
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