Outdoors

Families in Spring, Conroe, and The Woodlands do not have to travel particularly far to introduce a child to fishing or begin exploring public hunting opportunities.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday, Sept. 26, and the annual observance recognizes the role hunters and anglers play in outdoor traditions and wildlife conservation.

In the North Houston region, one of TPWD's Neighborhood Fishin' lakes is in Spring, while the Sam Houston National Forest provides one of the region's largest public-land hunting destinations.

Fishing at Herman Little Park in Spring

Herman Little Park, located at 18660 Casper Drive in Spring, features a 3-acre lake in TPWD's Neighborhood Fishin' Program.

The program is designed around convenient fishing close to where Texans live. Participating waters receive seasonal stockings, including channel catfish during warmer portions of the year and rainbow trout during winter.

For parents who have been thinking about teaching a child to fish, a neighborhood park can remove many of the barriers associated with the sport. There is no need for a boat or expensive setup to get started.

North Houston area residents can also head farther north to several Texas State Parks. Huntsville State Park offers fishing on 210-acre Lake Raven for bass, catfish, crappie and perch, with fishing piers and a boat ramp. Lake Livingston State Park, about 75 miles north of Houston, offers bank, pier and boat fishing on Lake Livingston, known for white bass, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass.

Although these parks are not part of the Neighborhood Fishin' program, they do offer additional family-friendly fishing destinations. A Texas fishing license is generally not required while fishing within a Texas State Park, although normal fishing regulations still apply.

Children younger than 17 generally fish without a Texas fishing license. Adults normally need the appropriate license and freshwater endorsement.

Public Hunting at Sam Houston National Forest

For hunters, Sam Houston National Forest Wildlife Management Area offers public-land opportunities north of the Houston area, but the rules deserve careful attention.

Some hunting opportunities within the national forest operate under the Annual Public Hunting Permit, while others require selection through a separate TPWD permit system.

For example, TPWD offered 510 adult and 90 youth antlerless deer permits for the 2026-27 season, with hunts running Nov. 7 through Jan. 3. The application deadline was Sept. 15, and no standby permits are available for those particular antlerless deer hunts. Adult applicants were required to have the Annual Public Hunting Permit.

That is why hunters should consult the current TPWD map and regulations for the specific portion of Sam Houston National Forest and the game species they intend to hunt.

The statewide $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit provides access to more than one million acres, but legal game, seasons and access requirements vary by property.

Dove and Teal Season Add to the Timing

Dove season is already underway, while Texas' early teal season runs Sept. 19-27. The teal daily bag limit is six, with a possession limit of 18.

TPWD says migratory bird hunters should verify all applicable endorsements and HIP certification requirements before hunting.

Hunters and Anglers Help Fund Conservation

Money generated through hunting and fishing licenses, endorsements and stamps helps support wildlife research, habitat management, fisheries work and public recreation.

TPWD's 2026 National Hunting and Fishing Day announcement provided for this story states that recreational license sales have surpassed $36.7 million since Aug. 15.

“The significant contribution made by Texas’ outdoors women and men toward research and species management is one of the reasons why the tradition of hunting and fishing in Texas has endured for generations,” TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz said. “Texas’ hunters, anglers and landowners, make the difference in preserving and maintaining the state’s natural spaces and wildlife population. This year, in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day, I invite all Texans to take a hunter education course, attend a neighborhood fishing event and learn how participating in these activities aids in conserving the best of Texas.”

The TPWD announcement also states that Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation recognizing the day.

What First-Time Hunters Need to Know

Texas hunter education requirements apply to hunters born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. Children under 9 must be accompanied. Hunters ages 9 through 16 must either complete hunter education or hunt accompanied. Hunters 17 and older generally must complete hunter education or obtain the one-time deferral and hunt accompanied.

New identification rules also took effect Aug. 3. Recreational license buyers age 17 and older must meet updated identification requirements, including physical presence and valid identification for in-person purchases.

Whether the weekend begins beside the pond at Herman Little Park or with plans for a future public-land hunt, North Houston residents have several ways to turn Sept. 26 into a day outdoors.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more North Houston outdoor activities and community updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

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