McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge

The landscape supplies important feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering populations of waterfowl, as well as other wildlife. From October to March, thousands of geese feeding and resting in the marsh can be heard, if not actually seen. Ducks on the refuge can number up to one hundred thousand, with more than two dozen species. The mottled duck, a year-round resident, is recognized as an important indicator species to coastal marsh health and function. During the spring, large concentrations of migrating songbirds fly through the upper Texas coast, with peak migration occurring in April. In addition to all of the amazing birds, McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is home to the largest concentration of American alligators in the State of Texas.

Species of Concern: Pig frog, Mottled duck, American alligator, Cordgrass

Restrictions

1. Commercial fishing and crabbing is prohibited.
2. Fishing and crabbing is only allowed with pole and line, rod and reel, or handheld line. All lines must be removed when you are finished. The use of any method not expressly allowed in inland waters, including trotlines, set lines, jug lines, limb lines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, and crab traps, is prohibited.
3. Fishing from or mooring to water control structures is prohibited.
4. On inland waters of the refuge open to motorized boats, the use of boats powered by air-cooled or radiator-cooled engines is restricted to those powered by a single engine of 25 hp or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 cm) in diameter or less. On inland waters of the refuge open to motorized boats, the operation of motorized boats is restricted to lakes, ponds, ditches, and other waterways. The operation of motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation is prohibited.
5. Airboats may not exceed 10 horsepower with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120 centimeters) or less. Engines may not exceed 2 cylinders and 484 cc.
6. Personal watercrafts are prohibited.
7. The harvest of frogs, turtles, shrimp and oysters is prohibited.

Allowed

Fishing and crabbing is allowed on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations as follows:
1. Fishing and crabbing is allowed only with pole and line, rod and reel, or handheld line.
2. Cast netting for bait for personal use is allowed along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.
3. Fishing and crabbing is allowed in 10-Mile Cut and Mud Bayou and in the following inland waters: Star Lake, Clam Lake, and Mud Lake. Fishing and crabbing is also allowed from the shoreline of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and along roadside ditches.