The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will hold a public hearing on a series of proposals to increase fees and alter dove hunting season structure at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the McLennan County Courthouse in the first-floor Commissioners Courtroom, located at 501 Washington Ave. in Waco.

TPWD is conducting 21 public hearings around the state to present recommendations seeking a $2 to $4 bump in license and boat registration and titling fees. The department says the fee increase is necessary to address critical needs.

Under the proposed increase, hunting licenses would go from the current price of $23 to $25, while the Super Combo all-inclusive license would increase from $64 to $68. Fishing packages would increase by $2.

Boat owners in Texas would also see an increase in boat registration and titling fees under the proposal. Biennial boat registration for vessels less than 16 feet in length would increase from $30 to $32 and those in the 16- to 26-foot range would go from $50 to $53.

Larger craft would see steeper increases — a $40 jump for vessels 26 to 40 feet in length and $110 for boats longer than 40 feet.

Changes proposed for the 2009-10 Texas dove season include a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit statewide, pending adoption of federal guidelines. Additionally, the department is seeking to move the South Zone opening to around Sept. 20.

The proposed dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones would run Sept. 1-Oct. 25 and reopen Dec. 26-Jan. 9, with a 15-bird bag limit and not more than two white-tipped doves.

If Texas gets a 16-day September teal season, the dates would be Sept. 12-27, while a nine-day season would run Sept. 19-27.

The public can also comment on these proposals by visiting the TPWD Web site or by writing TPWD Public Comment, attn. Robert Macdonald, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin 78744 or email robert.macdonald@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Sour grain catches cats

Anglers looking to tap into Lake Waco’s rich catfishing opportunities should take a few steps before the fishing trip to increase odds of fishing success.

First, make a batch of soured grain. This will serve as an attractant and can be broadcast into two or three fishing spots a day ahead of time to draw fish into the area. Toss some more into the water upon arrival to kick-start the fish into feeding mode.

Milo and chicken scratch are available at most feed stores, and these grains work well. To make a batch of soured grain, pour the grain into a bucket and add enough water to cover with a couple inches to spare, as the grain will absorb some water. Add a can of beer and 1/4 cup of sugar, then cover the bucket loosely (to allow fermentation gases to escape) and let it sit in the sun for a few days.

The resulting mixture will run your neighbors off, but the catfish will love it.

Another key to catfishing success is using a slip cork, which is simply a cork with a hole down the middle from top to bottom. Slip corks slide up and down the fishing line and are held at the desired depth by a bobber-stop, which is usually a small rubber band or string.

Slip corks allow anglers to use a bobber to fish deep or shallow without the unwieldiness of fixed-position bobbers. Using a slip cork successfully takes a little practice, as recognizing a bite isn’t as easy as watching a fixed-position cork go under. Sometimes the slip cork turns sideways or pushes upward, sometimes it sinks slightly, and other times it just twitches a little. The more you use slip corks, though, the easier it will be to recognize a bite.

Bait is another important ingredient in catching catfish. A number of good baits are available on the market, including some Texas-made baits like Brazos Bottom Bait, Big Marv’s Punch Bait, Mr. Whiskers Catfish Bait and Danny King’s Punch Bait. Shad, perch and night crawlers are also effective.

Crappie living large

Navarro Mills Lake Marina owner Brenda Wallen (254-578-1131) reports that 95 crappie weighing 2 pounds or more have been caught at Navarro Mills since January.

The latest and largest of the year so far was a whopping 2.85-pounder reeled in last week from the fishing pier at Liberty Hill Park. Minnows have been producing better than jigs, Wallen said.