Here From the 2000 Joint Meeting of the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas Chapters of the American Fisheries Society held in Bossier City, Louisiana. Most fisheries managers in the nation are dealing with a dramatic decline in fishing license sales. Texas fishing license sales have declined dramatically since peaking in 1983.
Officials blame urbanization, cost, and increased competition for leisure time.
Responses to this problem have precipitated an assortment of aquatic and sportfishing promotions designed to recruit new anglers. The focus of this effort was to provide an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation, and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas. In addition, the center was designed to generate revenue to defray the cost of operations. In the first three years of operation, the center has had 213,858 visitors of which 73,920 were school-age youth and generated over one million dollars in project income.