Where Northwest Houston Families Can Fish and Hunt for National Hunting and Fishing Day
For Northwest Houston residents, fishing and hunting opportunities may be closer than they seem.
National Hunting and Fishing Day returns Saturday, Sept. 26, encouraging Texans to introduce someone new to fishing, hunting or other outdoor traditions.
Around Northwest Houston, residents have several fishing choices before even leaving Harris County.
Fishing Around Northwest Houston
Herman Little Park, located at 18660 Casper Drive in Spring, has a 3-acre Neighborhood Fishin' lake and is one of TPWD's regularly stocked Houston-area fishing destinations.
Families farther west can head to Mary Jo Peckham Park in Katy, which has a 5-acre Neighborhood Fishin' lake.
Other community fishing opportunities around Northwest Harris County include Jersey Meadows Lake, Meyer Park Pond and Theiss Attaway Nature Center Pond in Tomball.
For beginners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Neighborhood Fishin' sites can be particularly convenient because they are intended to bring fishing into established suburban parks.
Public Hunting North of Houston
For hunters, Sam Houston National Forest WMA is one of the major public hunting destinations north of the Houston metropolitan area.
The important distinction is that not every hunt there operates the same way.
Some hunting is governed through the Annual Public Hunting program, while certain deer opportunities require separately awarded permits. For the 2026-27 season, TPWD's antlerless deer permits for the Sam Houston National Forest run Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, but applications have already closed.
Residents interested in other species or areas should use TPWD's Public Hunting Lands Locator and check the legal-game listing for the particular tract.
The $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit provides qualifying access to more than one million acres statewide.
Hunting and Fishing Support Conservation
License fees, stamps and endorsements help fund Texas wildlife and fisheries programs. TPWD's announcement for the 2026 observance states that recreational license sales have exceeded $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 agency's 2026 announcement also states that Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation recognizing the day.
Before Heading Outside
Texas' early teal season continues through Sept. 27, while regular dove season is also underway.
Anyone age 17 or older buying a recreational hunting or fishing license in person must now appear in person and provide qualifying identification under rules effective Aug. 3. Online purchasers must complete identity validation.
Hunter education rules apply to people born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, with accompaniment and deferral options available in certain circumstances.
For Northwest Houston families, that leaves plenty of ways to participate, from an afternoon beside a neighborhood pond to learning what it takes to legally and safely hunt Texas public land.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Northwest Houston parks, fishing opportunities and outdoor events.
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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