The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has received grants totaling more than $425,000 to help combat the spread of nuisance aquatic vegetation like giant salvinia in Texas reservoirs.

   They reported the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide $150,000 for improving boating access in Lake Conroe; $100,000 for Caddo Lake; $75,000 for Toledo Bend Reservoir and more than $50,000 for other reservoirs.

    “The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) will provide an additional $40,000 for Caddo Lake. SARP is a partnership composed of state fish and wildlife agencies in the Southeast and a number of other governmental and non-governmental organizations, private industry and federal agencies,” they reported.

    In addition TPWD officials will provide additional funding as well as staff and equipment. Total estimated cost of all the projects is approximately $1 million.

    Water hyacinth, giant salvinia and hydrilla are the main problem species.

    "These species have negatively impacted the health of many aquatic ecosystems in the state and limited access for recreational boaters and anglers," said Dr. Earl Chilton, Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Program Director for freshwater with TPWD.

    "Anglers, boaters, skiers, jet-skiers and swimmers will benefit from increased access, and local businesses will benefit from increased sales of water-related recreational equipment and services," Chilton added.

    Now on to the report…

    North Sabine/Neches River — Capt. Mike Morgan reports trout are fair around the islands on plastics. Redfish are fair to good on live bait and topwaters fished in the marsh. Flounder are fair to good on live bait fished in the cuts along the Louisiana shoreline.

    South Sabine — Speckled trout are fair to good on live bait and soft plastic shrimp fished under popping corks and on Culprit worms. Redfish are good in the cuts on the Louisiana side of the lake along with fair catches of flounder in the same areas.

    Sabine Pass — On calm days the jetties are producing reds on the Texas side on cut bait. Speckled trout are fair to good in Lighthouse Cove on Gulp shrimp and Assassins.

    Sabine River — Largemouths are fair to good on white/chartreuse spinners and watermelon colored whacky worms fished in Adams Bayou. Redfish are good but running small at the Dupont Outfall Canal and Adam’s Bayou.

     Calcasieu (Big Lake ) — The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports trout are good on soft plastics fished over shell and under birds throughout the lake. Reds are good around Lambert’s and in the channel on the north end on live bait and plastics. Flounder are fair to good around the cuts on the east side of the lake on mud minnows.

    Rayburn Lake — Guide Roger Bacon reports largemouths are fair to good on spinners and crankbaits fished in 8 to 10 feet of water. Main lake points and grass beds are producing some nice bass on Senkos and Fin-S worms. Crappie are good on pearl colored jigs and minnows fished over brush tops. Catfish are fair on shiners fished around boat docks.

    Toledo Bend — Holly Park Marina reports Crappie are fair in 10 feet of water on shiners and jigs. Bream have been very good. One couple caught 500 in three days. Yellow bass and white bass are being caught on spoons in about 20 ft of water. Largemouths are hitting Rat-L-Traps and other crankbaits and dark-colored worms and senkos. Catfish are good on throw hooks, trotlines and on rod and reels on cut bait and nightcrawlers.