AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has chosen 11 new projects to be supported by the Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP) during its 2026-27 funding cycle. Launched in summer 2021, the Habitat and Angler Access Program is primarily funded by the purchase of freshwater fishing licenses.

As its name suggests, the program restores and enhances freshwater fish habitats and improves and expands bank and shoreline-based angler access on public creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes throughout the state. HAAP enables cooperation between TPWD fisheries biologists and local partners to make fishing better for all Texans.

Texas boasts an abundance of high-quality fishing opportunities within its 6 million acres of public waterways. These waters support recreational opportunities for 2 million licensed anglers who spend an estimated $9 billion annually on fishing-related expenditures, resulting in a statewide economic impact of $14 billion annually. Sportfishing is big business in Texas, supporting an estimated 78,040 jobs.

“The Habitat and Angler Access Program offers us a tremendous opportunity to support much-needed fish habitat enhancement initiatives and shoreline-based access developments, improving conservation of fisheries resources and quality of angling for Texans,” said Michael Homer, Habitat and Angler Access Program Coordinator.

This is the third round of projects supported through the Program, all of which are expected to be completed by August 31, 2027. The next request for project proposals will be announced in spring 2027 for the 2028-2029 funding cycle.

Projects selected to be funded and completed during 2026-2027 are listed below:

• Kirby Reservoir Multiuse Pier Project
• Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir Multiuse Pier Project
• San Antonio Cassin Lake Fish Habitat Improvement Project
• City of Big Spring Comanche Trails Pier Project
• Lake Stamford Anchor Marina Crappie House Replacement
• City of Coleman Memory Lake Habitat and Access Project
• Lake Brownwood Fish Habitat Project
• City of Grapevine Settler’s Park Angler Access Project
• City of Muenster Paddling Access Project
• Lady Bird Lake Habitat and Access Project
• Garner State Park Habitat Improvement Project

Examples of project components supported by the Program include installation or improvement of fishing piers, installation of dock lighting, stabilization of banks and shorelines, and installation of erosion control features.

Other project components include planting of native aquatic vegetation, restoration of riparian and shoreline buffers, deployment of artificial fish attractors, and the construction of launches for kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft for the purpose of fishing access. For detailed information about the projects being supported during 2026-27, visit the Habitat and Angler Access Program projects web page or send an email to FishGrants@tpwd.Texas.gov.  More information about the Program, including future requests for proposals, can be found under the Fisheries Grants section of the TPWD Grants and Assistance web page.