You can fish Big Thicket waterways, but check consumption advisories first

A Texas fishing license is required for anyone 17 and older. You can fish the Neches River, Village Creek, Turkey Creek, and Pine Island Bayou inside the preserve. Children under 17 fish for free. You must follow Texas state fishing regulations.

Before you eat what you catch, read the consumption advisories. On the Neches River, blue catfish over 30 inches, flathead catfish, gar, and bass over 16 inches have restricted consumption due to mercury and dioxin. Smallmouth buffalo from the Neches River are listed as do-not-eat for every group — no safe serving amount is identified for anyone. Village Creek has mercury advisories for crappie, gar, and largemouth bass. Women of childbearing age and children under 12 face the strictest limits on most other species. After paddling or boating, drain retained water and clean your boat to prevent spreading invasive species like zebra mussels.