By Cary Purdy
Lake Livingston Fishing Club
At the June meeting of the Lake Livingston Fishing Club, also known as the hookers, Ron Diderich, treasurer of the Friends of Lake Livingston (FoLL) outlined a plan to stock hybrid bass in Lake Livingston. Why hybrids? If you have ever fished for hybrids over at Lake Conroe, you know how much fun it is! Although our lake is arguably the best white bass and catfish lake in the state, hybrids would add a whole new dimension to fishing the lake.
As a blend of striped bass and whites, hybrids do not spawn … they must be stocked. Why aren’t they stocked in our lake? The simple answer is scarcity – there aren’t enough to go around. Everybody who has a lake with the proper conditions wants them. Thanks to efforts by local anglers, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) is planning to begin stocking fingerling hybrids in the lake in 2024. But TPWD can only do so much. FoLL and the fishing club want to do whatever they can to supplement TPWD stocking efforts. They are proposing to join forces to privately stock more hybrids in the lake.
As most people know, Lake Livingston is highly regulated. Private stocking of the lake will require permissions, permits and resources. FoLL is in an ideal position to lead the effort. It is an established, well-respected 501(c)3 non-profit Texas corporation, meaning all donations are tax-deductible. Its purpose is to “sponsor and manage activities that enhance the wildlife and water quality of Lake Livingston.” Hence, stocking the lake fits very well with the stated purpose of the corporation. Additionally, using FoLL has the following benefits: operational immediately, at no cost; combines volunteer lists; uses existing public outreach; takes advantage of partnerships with TRA, TPWD, FOR, schools, counties; FOLL carries insurance; and donations are tax-deductible.
To move forward on this, FoLL is searching for a project manager (non-paid) to oversee the operation and get it up and running. This would entail things such as: preparing an operating plan which would include source of fish/costs/availability, TPWD approval process and a calendar of stocking events, as well as raising funds to meet or calibrate the plan.
This project is a great opportunity to contribute to our community. If you would like to participate and/or support this endeavor, please contact Ron Diderich at [email protected]
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