The Lower Laguna Madre Offers Unique Coastal Fishing

The Laguna Madre is a coastal lagoon that is saltier than the open Gulf. It stretches about 130 miles from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande. The lower section runs along Cameron County's coast. You can catch spotted seatrout, red drum, and black drum here. Subtropical species like snook, gray snapper, Florida pompano, and barracuda also live here. These fish are not found this far north anywhere else in Texas.

About 80 percent of Texas's remaining seagrass beds grow in this lagoon. Those beds are a nursery for fish and shrimp. A freshwater fishing license does not cover saltwater fishing. You need a saltwater endorsement or a saltwater combo license from Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD). Check tpwd.texas.gov for current license types and fees.