Big Fish Still Feeding In & Around The Docks
Tom Ward was finishing up some chores on his boat house late in the evening and decided to pitch a worm around the docks when this nice bass took the bait. He showed his wife and the neighbors the fish, took a picture and then released the fish all in just a few minutes. You can see the fish had spawned; but, was back in shallow water (about 3 feet) feeding on bream that are still on their nests in and around the boat docks.
Sometimes we tend to take life way to seriously. Most of these bloopers have been around for some time; but, I found several together today looking for something else and had a good laugh. Decided to share them with our readers. Have a good laugh. It is good for your soul. Papa John
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO CLEAN FISH ON YOUR BOAT ON LAKE CONROE
General Fishing Rules for Fresh and Salt Waters
Possession of Fish
•It is unlawful to possess a finfish of any species taken from public water, except broadbill swordfish, shark, or king mackerel that has the head or tail removed until such person finally lands the catch on the mainland, a peninsula, or barrier island not including jetties or piers and does not transport the catch by boat. Broadbill swordfish, shark, and king mackerel may have the head or tail removed but the carcass must remain intact - the fish may not be filleted.
Recently we have seen a lot of floating carcases of cleaned fish on the Lake. Fishermen have also been observed cleaning fish in their boats anchored a few yards from the bulkheads. When confronted, most will admit they had no idea it was against the law to fillet fish in their boat prior to getting back to the dock. Most when made aware of the law, have been very eager to stop. I have posted this because so many fishermen don't seem to be aware of this law.
The in formation above "Possession Of Fish" is taken straight from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Fishing Regulations. It might be a good idea to click on the link above and read all of the regulations that apply to Lake Conroe. The Game Wardens are not very sympathic when you tell them when you are checked for fish and they find cleaned fish on board that, "I didn't know about that!"
Be sure and read the fishing report at www.lakeconroefishingguides.com
Keep A Tight Line & Enjoy (Know your fish and game laws.)
Papa John
Be Sure And Wear Your Life Jacket
Why Should I Wear My Life Jacket? New Life Jackets Are Attractive and Easy To Wear
Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it’s tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket, especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable – as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air.
There’s no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water! Things to Know:
■Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper breathing.
■To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and larger must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well.
■All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children.
■Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available for children. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through.
■Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded or leaky jackets should be discarded.
■Life jackets must be properly stowed.
■A life jacket, especially a snug-fitting flotation coat or deck-suit style, can help you survive in cold water.
How Do Life Jackets Save Lives?
■When capsized in rough water.
■When sinking in unexpectedly heavy sea conditions.
■When thrown from the boat as a result of a collision.
■When injured by rocks or submerged objects.
■When unconscious from carbon monoxide fumes.
■When tossed into freezing water.
■When thrown off balance while fishing.
■When unable to swim because of heavy or waterlogged clothing.
If you have questions or would like more information about life jackets, call 1-800-368-5647.
Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
Lifesaving Devices (PFDs) (Texas Parks & Wildlife Boating & Water Safety Digest. Read and know the Law BEFORE going boating.)
All Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and of the appropriate size for intended user.
All children under 13 years of age in motorboats under 26 feet in length must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while underway. Underway means not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground.
All vessels, including canoes and kayaks, must be equipped with one Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD for each person on board. A Type V PFD is acceptable only if used in accordance with the specific instructions on the label of the device.
Vessels 16 feet and longer, excluding canoes and kayaks, are required to be equipped with one Type IV throwable PFD in addition to the Type I, II, III, or V PFD required for each person on board.
Inflatable PFDs are authorized only when used in accordance with requirements as presented on U.S. Coast Guard approval labels. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft, waterskiing, or other high speed activity.
Memorial Day will herald the beginning of a safer summer on Lake Conroe with a first-of-its-kind crackdown on boaters who operate their vessels drunk.
People suspected of boating while intoxicated who refuse a field sobriety test will be taken to a Houston Police Department mobile unit – one of two stationed at the lake – for blood and breathalyzer tests, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Warren Diepraam said.
A judge will be stationed at each mobile unit to issue a search warrant for blood tests. Nurses also will be at the units to draw blood.
The DA’s Office is teaming up with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Precinct 1 Constable’s Office Lake Patrol, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Houston Police Department for the initiative, which Diepraam said is the first of its kind in the nation.
“I’ve not found one anywhere,” he said. “(District Attorney) Brett Ligon wants to restore boating safety to Lake Conroe.”
CLICK HERE to read the entire article in the Conroe Courier – News Archives online.
CLICK HERE to get a current Lake Conroe Fishing Report.
A couple of announcements for lake area residents and business owners:
1. Lake level – I’m not sure if the weather patterns could have been any better in terms of Lake Conroe. We went through a moderate dry spell during the winter months which allowed the dam repair to proceed well ahead of schedule, and then since the day the repair was completed, we’ve had just over 12 inches of rain! Our lowest lake level during the dam repair was about 199.6’ MSL, or 1.4 feet below full pool level. With the recent rains we’ve experienced over the last month and a half, the lake rose a full 2 feet to a high of 201.6’ MSL, or about 7 inches over full pool level. We’re currently at 201.21’ MSL and have had only minimal releases. Fortunately we didn’t get the very heavy rains that they received in south Montgomery County.
2. Email alerts and notifications – A few months ago we launched a new website (www.sjra.net), and we also included a new email notification system. I wanted to wait a few months to make sure it was working properly before I officially announced it, but it appears to be working fine. So if you would like to continue receiving updates regarding Lake Conroe or any other SJRA issues, be sure to visit the new site and enter your email address. The site will then ask you to select your areas of interest. Be sure to click Lake Conroe Division. That will allow you to continue receiving lake updates.
3. Current conditions on web site – We are still in the process of upgrading our software for reporting current conditions on the website. You will see this box in the left-hand frame of our home page. For now I have just included links to the gauges maintained by the USGS. But soon we will have the current conditions listed directly on our home page so you don’t have to link to USGS to get the data. I apologize for the delay in getting this back up and running, but we are actually completely replacing the software we use for data collection on rainfall, stream gauges, lake level, weather, etc. The upgrades should be completed in the next few weeks.
Thank you for your continued interest.
Jace A. Houston
Deputy General Manager, Administration
San Jacinto River Authority
PO Box 329, Conroe, TX 77305
(936) 588-1111
(936) 588-3043 fax
