Outdoors

For families across San Antonio and New Braunfels, National Hunting and Fishing Day can be as simple as taking a child to a local pond, spending the morning along the Guadalupe River or learning what it takes to safely begin hunting in Texas.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging residents to bring friends and family outdoors for National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The observance recognizes hunters and anglers for their contributions to wildlife conservation and the outdoor traditions that continue across Texas.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation supporting the day, noting that outdoor pursuits can foster patience, self-reliance and appreciation for nature while promoting physical activity and mental well-being. The proclamation also pointed to the billions of dollars in annual economic activity generated by outdoor recreation in Texas.

Free Family Fishing at Brackenridge Park

San Antonio families have a particularly easy way to participate this year.

TPWD's Family Fishing Day at Brackenridge Park, located at 3700 N. St. Mary's St., is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26. The free event will teach casting, tackle and bait use, fishing regulations and ethics, aquatic conservation and other basic skills. TPWD-certified Angler Education instructors will also help participants with waterside fishing. No fishing license is required for people fishing during the event hours, and children must remain with an adult.

San Antonio also has two locations in TPWD's Neighborhood Fishin' Program, Millers Pond and Southside Lions Park. The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026 and places fishing opportunities in city and county parks with amenities such as shoreline access, parking, restrooms and lighting.

More Places to Fish Around San Antonio

Families are not limited to Neighborhood Fishin' sites.

Calaveras Lake, about 20 miles south of San Antonio, covers more than 3,600 acres and is known for channel and blue catfish, hybrid striped bass, red drum and largemouth bass. TPWD rates fishing for catfish, hybrid striped bass and red drum particularly highly, and the lake offers public shoreline access and boat ramps.

Nearby Braunig Lake, about 17 miles south of San Antonio, is another established fishing destination. The 1,350-acre reservoir supports red drum, hybrid striped bass, channel and blue catfish and largemouth bass.

Both reservoirs are distinct from the Neighborhood Fishin' program and give anglers a larger-water experience closer to San Antonio.

Fishing Around New Braunfels and Canyon Lake

New Braunfels-area anglers have even more options along the Guadalupe River area.

Canyon Lake, about 16 miles northwest of New Braunfels, covers more than 8,300 acres and provides one of the region's largest freshwater fishing destinations. Anglers should be aware that zebra mussels are present, and state law requires boats, trailers and onboard receptacles to be properly drained when leaving or approaching public fresh water.

Below Canyon Dam, the Guadalupe River is one of Texas' best-known trout fishing areas during the winter stocking season. TPWD identifies fishing access between Canyon Lake Dam and New Braunfels, including Guadalupe Park and several river crossings. Special trout regulations apply to portions of the river, so anglers should check current limits before fishing.

Guadalupe River State Park Offers a License-Free Option

Guadalupe River State Park is also marking National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26.

Visitors can fish within the state park without a fishing license, and the park's Tackle Loaner Program allows visitors to borrow a fishing rod, reel and small tackle box from the Discovery Center during open hours. The park recommends bringing bait because it may not always be available.

TPWD notes more broadly that no license is required to fish from the shore or dock at a Texas State Park, although normal fishing rules still apply.

For Texans who have never fished before, TPWD also maintains a Fishing for Beginners resource covering safety, basic gear assembly, tackle boxes, bait, lures, casting and other fundamentals. Fishing classes, derbies and other events are listed on the agency's online calendar.

Public Hunting Opportunities Near San Antonio and New Braunfels

Fishing may be easier to try on short notice, but National Hunting and Fishing Day also highlights the public hunting opportunities available across Texas.

In northwest San Antonio, Government Canyon State Natural Area participates in TPWD's controlled public hunting program. Its 2026-27 schedule includes an archery deer hunt in November and several gun deer hunts in December and January. Applications for those hunts have closed, although TPWD indicates standby opportunities may be available for some hunts.

Near New Braunfels, Guadalupe River State Park also participates in the drawn-hunt program. A Youth Only Gun Deer, Either Sex hunt is scheduled Nov. 21-23, while an adult Gun Deer, Either Sex hunt is scheduled Jan. 12-14, 2027. These are controlled hunts requiring selection or possible standby access, not general walk-in hunting.

Texans looking for additional opportunities can use TPWD's Annual Public Hunting Permit, which provides access to more than one million acres of public hunting land statewide for qualifying species and dates.

Dove and Teal Seasons Are Already Underway

National Hunting and Fishing Day arrives during one of Texas' busiest hunting periods.

Regular dove season is underway, and Texas continues to lead the nation in dove hunting. TPWD says Texas accounts for about 32 percent of the mourning dove harvest and 87 percent of the white-winged dove harvest in the United States each year. More than 300,000 hunters participate annually, generating more than $500 million in economic activity.

The statewide early teal season runs Sept. 19 through Sept. 27, meaning National Hunting and Fishing Day falls during its final weekend.

Bexar County is divided by dove-zone boundaries, so hunters should check their exact hunting location and current TPWD regulations before heading into the field.

New Hunters Have Several Ways to Learn

TPWD maintains a Hunting for Beginners resource for people who did not grow up hunting and also offers mentored hunting workshops designed to introduce newcomers to the sport in a supervised setting.

Hunter education is available online and in person. Texas hunter education requirements apply to people born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, with age-based accompaniment and limited deferral provisions available in certain circumstances. Courses cover subjects including firearm safety, species identification and safe zones of fire.

Participation Helps Fund Conservation Across Texas

National Hunting and Fishing Day also draws attention to something many families may not realize: participation in these activities helps pay for conservation.

Money from hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and endorsements supports fish stocking, habitat improvements, public access, wildlife research and mentored hunting programs. Texas wildlife programs also receive funding connected to taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, motorboat fuel, firearms and ammunition. The resulting conservation work benefits both game and non-game species.

Since recreational licenses became available for purchase Aug. 15, TPWD says sales have exceeded $36.7 million.

“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.”

New Identification Rules Apply to Texas Licenses

Hunters and anglers planning to purchase licenses should also be aware of updated identity-verification requirements now in effect.

TPWD introduced the changes to combat residency fraud and support law enforcement. Hunting and fishing licenses can still be purchased online, at participating retailers and at TPWD offices, but buyers should review the current identification requirements before purchasing. 

Full season dates, bag limits, fishing regulations and hunting rules are available through the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app and online through OutdoorAnnual.com. 

A Weekend With Plenty of Ways to Participate

For San Antonio and New Braunfels families, Sept. 26 offers choices for almost every level of outdoor experience.

A first-time angler can learn the basics for free at Brackenridge Park. A family can borrow fishing equipment at Guadalupe River State Park. More experienced anglers can head toward Calaveras Lake, Braunig Lake, Canyon Lake or the Guadalupe River, while aspiring hunters can learn about hunter education, mentored hunts and Texas' public-land program.

The common thread is participation. Whether it begins with a child's first cast or a seasoned hunter bringing someone new into the field, National Hunting and Fishing Day is built around passing Texas' outdoor traditions forward.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more San Antonio and New Braunfels fishing spots, outdoor events, public hunting information and family activities.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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