Texas Porch

Topic · Page 9

The Great Outdoors

Local Notes

The Great Outdoors notes

518 notes

Walker County · Rivers & Waterways

Two Rivers Drain Walker County

The Trinity River runs along Walker County's northern edge and the San Jacinto River along the south, both draining toward the Gulf Coast.

Waller County · Hunting Regulations

Deer Hunting in Waller County Has Specific Buck Rules

Hunters in Waller County can take up to four deer per season, but rules on bucks are specific and antlerless deer require mandatory reporting.

Waller County · Water Recreation

The Brazos River Runs Along the Western Edge of the County

The Brazos River forms Waller County's western border and is the main surface water feature — useful for fishing, but subject to flooding and access limits.

Ward County · State Park

Monahans Sandhills State Park: dunes you can sled in West Texas

A 4,717-acre park of active sand dunes in Ward and Winkler counties offers camping, horseback riding, and sand-disc sledding year-round.

Washington County · Hunting Regulations

Deer Hunting in Washington County Follows North Zone Rules

Washington County is in the North Zone for white-tailed deer, which sets the season dates and bag limits hunters must follow.

Washington County · Natural Features

The Brazos River Forms the County's Eastern Edge

The Brazos River runs along Washington County's eastern border and shapes flooding risk, land use, and outdoor access in the county.

Washington County · Climate Overview

Washington County Has a Long Growing Season and Wet Climate

Washington County gets about 40 inches of rain per year and has a 277-day growing season, which matters for farming, gardening, and outdoor planning.

Webb County · Hunting

Deer Hunting Rules for Webb County

Webb County falls under specific TPWD deer seasons and bag limits that hunters need to know before going out.

Webb County · Hunting

Dove and Turkey Seasons in Webb County

Webb County has open dove and turkey seasons — know the limits before you hunt.

Webb County · State Park

Lake Casa Blanca: The State Park Inside Laredo

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park is a 525-acre park on a 1,680-acre reservoir inside city limits that offers fishing, camping, hiking, and water sports.

Wharton County · Fishing Access

Fishing the Colorado River in Wharton County

The Colorado River runs through Wharton County and offers bank fishing, with TPWD maintaining leased public access points on the river.

Wheeler County · Hunting

What You Can Hunt in Wheeler County and When

Wheeler County sits in the Texas Panhandle and offers white-tailed deer, mule deer, turkey, pheasant, quail, dove, waterfowl, and sandhill crane hunting under TPWD regulations.

Wichita County · Freshwater Fishing

Lake Arrowhead Is Known for Catfish and Crappie

Lake Arrowhead, southeast of Wichita Falls, holds white crappie, largemouth bass, and large catfish under statewide fishing regulations.

Wichita County · State Park

Lake Arrowhead State Park: Camping and Fishing Near Wichita Falls

Lake Arrowhead State Park sits about 15 minutes south of Wichita Falls (in Clay County) and offers camping, fishing, hiking, and equestrian trails on a 16,200-acre lake.

Wichita County · Annual Event

The Hotter 'N Hell Hundred Bike Race Draws Thousands Each August

Wichita Falls hosts a large annual bicycle event in late August, when temperatures typically top 100 degrees, drawing cyclists from across the country.

Wichita County · Rivers and Water

Three Rivers Drain Wichita County—And Create Flood Risk

The Red River, Wichita River, and Little Wichita River all flow through Wichita County, shaping land use, flood risk, and water supply.

Wilbarger County · Hunting

Wilbarger County Has a Long Hunting Season List

Wilbarger County falls in multiple TPWD hunting zones, allowing deer, quail, dove, duck, pheasant, turkey, and more depending on season.

Willacy County · Hunting

Deer Hunting in Willacy County Follows South Zone Rules

Willacy County is in the Texas South Zone for deer hunting, with a bag limit of 5 deer per season and a general season that typically runs into January.

Williamson County · Fishing

Brushy Creek in Williamson County Has Recorded Sport Fish Catches

Brushy Creek in Williamson County is a recorded sport fishing waterbody tracked in TPWD's all-tackle records.

Williamson County · Hunting Regulations

Deer Hunting Rules Differ on Each Side of I-35 in Williamson County

TPWD sets different white-tailed deer bag limits for the east and west sides of Interstate 35 in Williamson County.

Williamson County · Lake Recreation

Lake Georgetown Offers Fishing, Camping, and Hiking

Lake Georgetown is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake on the North Fork of the San Gabriel River, about 3.5 miles northwest of Georgetown, with camping, boating, and fishing.

Williamson County · Waterways

The San Gabriel River Is the Only River in Williamson County

The San Gabriel River runs through the center of Williamson County and is the county's only river, flowing through Georgetown and feeding Lake Georgetown.

Williamson County · Turkey Hunting

Turkey Season Only Applies West of I-35 in Williamson County

Wild turkey hunting is only open in the western part of Williamson County — west of Interstate 35 — with both fall and spring seasons available.

Wilson County · Wildlife & Hunting

Wilson County has no state park, but wildlife biologists can help landowners

Wilson County has no public Wildlife Management Areas, but Texas Parks and Wildlife assigns biologists to the county who can advise landowners on habitat and wildlife management.

Wise County · Lakes and Fishing

Lake Bridgeport Offers Fishing and Boating in Wise County

Lake Bridgeport sits on the West Fork Trinity River in Wise and Jack counties and supports bass, catfish, crappie, and other fish.

Wise County · Paddling

The Bridgeport Falls Paddling Trail Runs Through Wise County

TPWD's Bridgeport Falls Paddling Trail offers a designated canoe and kayak route near Lake Bridgeport.

Wise County · Trails

The LBJ Multiuse Trail System Has About 75 Miles of Trails

Hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders share nearly 75 miles of trails on the LBJ National Grasslands in Wise and Montague counties.

Wise County · Federal Public Land

The LBJ National Grasslands Offer Trails, Camping, and Hunting Near Decatur

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands in Wise and Montague counties provide free public access for hiking, horseback riding, camping, and hunting.

Wood County · Invasive Species Rule

Drain Your Boat When You Leave Lake Fork

Texas law requires boaters to drain all water from their vessel before leaving Lake Fork to help stop zebra mussels from spreading to other lakes.

Wood County · Fishing Regulations

Fishing at Lake Fork: Special Rules You Need to Know

Lake Fork Reservoir in Wood County has strict catch rules for largemouth bass — most fish must be released, and only one trophy-size fish per day may be kept.

Wood County · Lakes & Recreation

Wood County Has Four Major Recreational Lakes

Wood County has four lakes used for fishing, boating, and recreation: Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Quitman, Lake Winnsboro, and Lake Hawkins.

Wood County · Geography & Land

Wood County Has Two Distinct Natural Landscapes

The western part of Wood County is Post Oak Savannah with oaks and open land; the eastern part is Piney Woods with pine forests — each side looks and feels different.

Yoakum County · Hunting

Yoakum County has two deer species and solid dove and quail hunting

Hunters in Yoakum County can pursue both white-tailed and mule deer, plus dove, quail, and waterfowl — but seasons and limits shift each year.

Young County · Quail Season

Quail Hunting Is Open in Young County Each Fall

Young County is in quail country, with a season that runs from November through late February and a daily bag limit of 15 birds.

Young County · Hunting Regulations

Young County Has Antler Rules for Deer Hunters

Deer hunters in Young County can take up to 5 deer per season, but antler restrictions limit which bucks are legal to harvest.

Zapata County · State Park

Falcon State Park: Camping and Day Use on the Rio Grande

Falcon State Park gives you a legal boat ramp, campsites, and shore fishing access to Falcon Reservoir right at the Texas-Mexico border.

Zapata County · Fishing

Fishing Falcon Lake: What You Need to Know

Falcon Lake sits on the Texas-Mexico border and is one of Texas's top bass fisheries, but fishing the Mexican side requires a separate Mexico license.

Zavala County · Hunting

Zavala County offers deer, dove, and javelina hunting under South Zone rules

Zavala County falls in the South Zone for most hunting regulations, meaning seasons and bag limits differ from North or Central Texas.