Frequently Asked Questions - Private Fisheries

Private Fishing Ponds

• Will TPWD help me build a pond or lake on my property?
• Will TPWD stock my pond, or where do I get fish?
• Can I catch fish in public water and take them home to stock my pond?
• How can I estimate the weight of a fish that was caught and released?
• What do I do if my fish are dying or have sores on their bodies?
• Some of the fish I'm catching have small worms or grubs in their flesh. What's wrong with these fish? Are they safe to eat?
• I've seen large wading birds in or near my pond, and suspect they're eating my fish. Can I shoot these birds?
• What if cormorants are eating my fish?
• My pond is overgrown with plants. What should I do?
• My neighbor stocked his pond with a kind of carp that eats plants. How can I get some of these carp?
• There are many turtles in my pond. Should I remove some of them?
• I caught a snapping turtle. What should I do with it?