General Information The Lone Star State covers 262,015 square miles of territory comprising seacoast, cactus-laden desert, foothills, lakes, impoundments, rivers and woodlands. Bordering Mexico to the south, Texas is 800 miles wide and nearly the same north and south. Rich in southwestern culture and heritage, Texas remains one of the greatest outdoors resources in the United States due to its immense size and scope of natural resources. Capital City: Austin Largest City: Dallas National Parks and Forests: Amistad National Recreational Area Angelina/Davy Crockett/Sabine/Sam Houston National Forests Big Bend National Park/Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River Big Thicket National Preserve Caddo National Grasslands Lake Meredith Recreational Area Padre Island National Seashore Sport Fishing Texas remains one of the most important areas for fishing in the nation. There are more than 5,175 square miles of inland water, thousands of miles of flowing creeks and rivers, hundreds of reservoirs and lakes of substantial size, and over 650 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico, all holding some fishable species. Most popular species found in inland lakes, farm ponds, reservoirs and rivers are largemouth bass, white, yellow, hybrid and striped bass, catfish, and crappie. Smallmouth bass have been introduced to various watersheds and are sought to a lesser degree by most anglers. Stocking has produced limited angling for non-native species such as Florida bass, walleye, and rainbow trout. The Gulf of Mexico and inshore lagoons and bays, buffered by the Texas barrier islands and peninsulas, are some of the most productive marine environments in the world offering rich habitat for speckled trout, sheepshead, redfish and drum. Further offshore, anglers fish for sailfish, tarpon, wahoo, tuna, mackerel, bonito, pompano, and groundfish. Hunting Texas boasts some of the best hunting in the nation. White-tailed deer remains tops among big-game hunters due to the animals' wide distribution and attainable trophy size. Mule deer and pronghorn sheep are found in limited numbers chiefly in the western part of the state, and javelinas, wild boars, feral hogs, and squirrels are also found throughout the state. Game birds include waterfowl, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, blue quail, white-winged and mourning dove, pheasants, prairie chickens, sandhill cranes and chachalacas. Texas also offers some unique hunting opportunities not found in most other states. Private ranches offer hunts for exotic game year-round. Leasing--paying fees to landowners for hunting rights--is anothers popular practice in Texas. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.