Thanks to three new leased river access sites through the River Access and Conservation Area (RACA ) program, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) increased the number of opportunities for public fishing and paddling on the Colorado and Brazos rivers.
Three combined entry points are located at the new RACA websites on the Brazos River in Parker County, downstream of Lake Granbury. Only off FM 969, close to the city of Bastrop, is the fresh Colorado River RACA site.
According to John Botros, TPWD river access coordinator, there has previously been little access to high-quality open access for river recreation in Texas. The public now has more choices for safe, legal, and high-quality hunting and sailing admittance on rivers thanks to these new RACA sites. These new websites, which are conveniently situated close to the main urban centers of Fort Worth and Austin, may help to promote a more diverse and satisfying experience for people looking for outdoor adventures in Texas.
Upper Colorado River floating journey.
Fuller’s Folly River Ranch, one of the two new Brazos River places, is about 45 hours from Fort Worth at 5751 Old Dennis Road. It provides free parking for TPWD leased entry users as well as great opportunities for sailing and fishing. The starting place for a 4.1-mile float downstream to the Sandy Bottoms River Company is Fuller’s Folly.
For bank pushing and launching non-motorized boats, canoes, kayaks or other floating devices for the purpose of angling or paddling, it is available from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after dusk. To ensure access, visitors are urged to email Fuller’s Folly River Ranch at [email protected ] (or, as a backup, at 682-730-2405 ) at least 24 hours in advance. Before using the property, TPWD leased exposure users may sign a liability form.
At 7026 River Trail and 173 Chavez Trail, both close to Weatherford, Sand Bottoms River Company has two entry points. For TPWD leased entry place users who are paddling or fishing, there is additional parking available. The takeout point for the 4.1-mile float from Fuller’s Folly River Ranch is the River Trail Camp ( 7026 Road Trail ) access point. A tiny dock can be used to launch paddle boats or fish at the Chavez Access point, which is located about 1.5 miles inland of the River Trail Camp.
For banks angling and the launch of non-motorized boats, canoes, kayaks or other floating devices for the purpose of angling or paddling, the sites are available from 30 minutes before morning to 30 minute before sunset. To maintain access, visitors are urged to text Sandy Bottoms River Company at least 24 hours in advance at 817- 980 – 2528 ( or 254-246 — 6934 as a back-up ). Before using the Sandy Bottoms River Company house, TPWD leased access people must sign a liability form.
Both sites offer options for largemouth, spotted, and light bass fishing. Sunfish, water drum, and channel catfish are additional great species to pursue.
Colorado River Site: Horseshoe on the Colorado is TPWD’s newest RACA site on Colorado, and it is situated at 142 Frances Loop, close to Bastrop, of FM 969 and Howard Lane. The area serves as the starting point for a 6.8-mile float downstream from Big Webberville Park to the Utley boat slope at FM 969 as well as an take-out area for an 8.4 mile sailing trip. Users of TPWD leased exposure areas are provided with complimentary driving in the designated area. Watercraft can only be loaded and unloaded in the immediate area around the river entry point.
To ensure access, visitors must text ( 512 ) 970- 9739 and include the make, model, and license plate number of their vehicle at least 24 hours in advance. Before entering the house, the owner even asks that everyone complete a liability waiver form.
The Colorado River offers anglers numerous opportunities to get channel catfish, largemouth bass, and Guadalupe guitar.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, give awards from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, the United States Department of Agriculture- Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Programme, and selling of the Texas Rivers Conservation License Plate are among the current resources that provide funding for river access and conservation areas.
See Accessing Our Rivers: The RACA Team to find out more about the program and get to know the team members.
