August 22, 2025
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 1
Hot summer patterns
Dove numbers are very good this season. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
5% increase Dove numbers higher, birds may be scattered By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Texas hunters should be able to find plenty of dove during the upcoming season, but they might need to do some scouting beforehand. Although numbers are high this season, the amount of food and water gives birds lots of options once the shooting starts. According to the TPWD Webless Migratory Game Bird Program Leader Owen Fitzsimmons, statewide dove population totals in terms of survey data of breeding adults for both mourning dove and whitewinged dove are looking great overall. The 2025 statewide estimate for mourning dove is 35.9 million birds. This is a 5% increase from 2024, and it is 28% above the longterm average since 2008. The statewide population for whitewinged dove this year is estimated at 11.7 million birds. Although this is a little bit lower than last year’s estimated population
Hot weather and an early morning bass bite are trademarks of summer fishing in Texas. Photos by David J. Sams and Nate Skinner, Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Late summer patterns for largemouth bass are prevailing across East Texas lakes this month. Anglers able to fish early and late have been catching the most fish. The majority of bass are relating to deep water structure; however, there is still an opportunity to catch some fish along the edges of the shallows before the heat of the day sets in and forces anglers to beat a hasty re-
treat. On Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Capt. Hank Harrison said small schools of bass have been roaming around in 22 to 28 feet of water over main lake points and ledges. Drop-shot rigs, Carolina rigs, and shaky heads have been producing the most strikes for him and his anglers. “We are catching a lot of 2- to 4-pound bass in these areas right now,” Harrison said. “A lot of the bigger fish have been holding
over stretches with hard bottoms in timber, stumps, and brush piles.” Harrison said the larger bass have been more difficult to catch. “They are really only biting during the major and minor feeding windows, as indicated on the solunar tables,” he explained. “These fish have been lethargic due to the late summer heat and will only feed during short time periods throughout the day.” Harrison said the key has Please turn to page 12
Please turn to page 6
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Redfish schools gaining momentum By Nate Skinner
Upper coast anglers have been finding schools of redfish in both shallow and deep water, and the hook-ups have been plentiful. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
With the end of the summer upon us, the kids are back in school, and so are the redfish. Schools of redfish are providing coastal anglers with plenty of excitement, both shallow and deep. Some of the most consistent action has been taking place along the upper Texas
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 19 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Public Notice . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
coast bays and marshes. Sabine Lake area fishing guide Capt. Chris Phillips has been finding solid numbers of slot redfish along the edges of rocks and riprap in the Intracoastal Waterway. His anglers have been having the most luck using live shrimp rigged under a popping cork. “The water in the ICW has been in really good shape lately,
especially when barge traffic is light,” Phillips said, “and as long as the tide is moving, even if the water gets churned up by a barge, it has been cleaning up fairly quickly.” Phillips said most of the redfish action has been taking place while on a rising or falling tide. When the current slacks off, the fish have been harder to catch. The majority of the reds Please turn to page 17
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Corn prices (P. 4)
Jetty action (P. 8)
Who has the best prices this season?
Kings and smacks from the rocks.
Nilgai cull (P. 4)
Summer cats (P. 8)
Animals culled from helicopters.
Hot weather, slow catfish bite.