Fort Worth Pond Hoppers

09/11/2026

Benbrook Lake is hosting a clean up event at Longhorn Park located at 7000 Lakeside Dr Fort Worth, TX 76132. It will be from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Anyone under 18 will need their parent’s permission and their parent can contact Park Ranger Gina Jaworski at [email protected] or by calling 817-292-2400 and leaving a message.

09/09/2026

Facebook Game Wardens - Protecting conservation one picture at a time. Thanks for your cervix.🫡

09/09/2026

HOLY HYBRID!

This rare catch (and release) from the Trinity River is a hybrid between a female alligator gar and a male longnose gar. 🧐 The long, triangular snout is a telltale feature.

Gars have existed for more than 200 million years, diverging into separate species about 100 million years ago. But due to their incredibly slow rate of evolution, hybrids can happen (though rare).

But that’s not all….

Gar may contribute to the fight against cancer.

They have the lowest known genetic mutation rate of jawed vertebrates, thanks to an exceptionally efficient DNA repair system. Understanding these DNA repair pathways may have promising implications for cancer research!

📷 Sebastian Benitez
Congratulations on this incredible catch 👏

09/09/2026

🎉 Facebook recognized me for starting engaging conversations and producing inspiring content among my audience and peers!

09/09/2026

09/06/2026

🎣 Registration is still open for the Kids Fishin’ Derby & Campout! ⛺

Join us next Saturday at Capp Smith Park for a fun-filled family evening of fishing, camping, and enjoying the outdoors under the stars!

📅 September 11–12
⏰ Campout: September 11 at 5:00 PM through September 12 at 10:00 AM
🎣 Fishing Derby: 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Capp Smith Park
💙 FREE event!

Fishing poles and bait will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Don’t forget to bring your tent, camping gear, and everything you need for a great night outdoors!

The Fishing Derby is for kids ages 16 and under, but all ages are welcome to fish. Adults ages 17 and older are required to have a fishing license. Fishing licenses are not required for kids 16 and younger.

This is a catch-and-release event.

Registration is available online, at the Hector F. Garcia Community Center located at 7901 Indian Springs Rd., or at Capp Smith Park on the day of the event between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.

Questions? Call 817-514-5828.

Registration link: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/watauga-parks-community-services/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQ0MDEyNTM=

09/04/2026

Good morning DFW Anglers!!!! Y'all know what time it is?!?!?
Channel catfish are on their way to 3 of the 5 Neighborhood Fishin' Ponds this morning. Locations, numbers stocked, and approximate times are listed below.
Lakeside Park in Duncanville will get ~426 fish around 10:00 AM
Chisholm Park in Hurst will get ~426 fish around 10:15 AM
South Lakes Park in Denton will get ~540 fish around 10:30 AM

Make sure you have your new 2026-2027 fishing license https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/fishing-licenses-stamps-tags-packages/fishing-licenses-and-packages

**City Lake Park in Mesquite and Greenbriar Park in Fort Worth will not be stocked today due to concerns about water quality. We will continue to monitor conditions and work with our municipal partners to evaluate these locations and post an update when the fish will be stocked at a later date.**

The daily bag limit is 5 fish per person day, there is no minimum length limit on Channel Catfish, anglers may use no more than 2 poles at a time, and anglers 17 years and older must have a fishing license. To report violations, please contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-792-4263.

To find the site nearest you, please check this link:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/programs/neighborhood-fishin/ -to-go

08/31/2026

New research says cooling a largemouth bass in a livewell can actually make recovery take longer. A study published August 12, 2026 in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management simulated angling, air exposure and livewell holding. Surprisingly, recovering largemouth actually selected water about 2–4°C warmer than the temperature they had been acclimated to. Bass that were abruptly cooled after exercise took longer to recover and had reduced aerobic capacity; warming them again when released created another physiological challenge. The authors specifically concluded that anglers should avoid adding ice to livewells and instead keep the water near the temperature where the fish were captured.

Source: https://academic.oup.com/najfm/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/najfmt/vqag048/8759511