With the temperatures starting to change in South Texas, it only means one thing: Trout season has arrived.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is restocking the Texas waterways with thousands of Rainbow Trout. The plan is to stock over 335,000 trout from November through March 6.

This is an annual schedule, and they plan to distribute trout across various waterways. You can find the full stocking schedule, including where and how much, on their website.

The size of the lake, river, or even pond, and how much water is in it, defines how many trout can be placed. Less water means fewer trout, but it also means the water can warm up more quickly.

Known for their skin shimmering like a rainbow in the sun, they are a cold-water species that does best when oxygen-rich water temperatures stay between 40 and 60 degrees. Once water warms into the 70s, trout become stressed, which is why trout fishing in Texas is limited to cooler months.

Thermometers that use infrared technology to read surface temperatures are convenient. However, depending on the stream, the temperature can be significantly different below the surface. That’s why a traditional thermometer for some fishers is an oldie but a goodie.

REMINDERS:

• The state of Texas does not require a fishing license for anyone under the age of 17

• Adults must have a freshwater fishing endorsement on their license

• Anglers can enjoy complementary fishing without a license in a Texas state park from a bank, dock or pier

• Anyone planning a trip to a state park is recommended to reserve a day pass in advance, which can be reserved online or over the phone by calling (512) 389-8900

One of North Texas’ newest residents, Canyon Cooper Smith, has been here for just about three weeks. But the 13 lb. newborn already has a lot of nicknames.

“We call him our squishy a lot. Big boy. Somebody called him the Grand Canyon. Supa Kupa. Chunkmeister,” said Arlington mom Markie Smith. “Yeah he’s hefty, he’s solid.”

His size was just a bit of a shock to Mom when he was born.  

“We were expecting him to be about 10 lbs. When he came out, and they said 12, I did not believe them,” said Smith, “and they were like, ‘He’s huge,’ and he was screaming. They were holding him up like this, and it was just rolls. That’s all I could see. Just bright red mad and rolls.”

Joshua photographer Kim Fain has been taking newborn photos for more than a decade.  

“This is the biggest baby I’ve ever had. Chunk,” said Fain. 

You probably didn’t know, but just a few pounds can make a big difference when photographing a baby.

“Yeah, my wrists will hurt tomorrow, said Fain. “You can definitely tell the difference between a six-pound baby and a 10-pound baby. Add three or four more pounds; he’s over 13 pounds now.” 

However, there is no confusion; Canyon is a fan favorite around here.

“From the moment he’s arrived, he’s just changed… I mean, look at all this hoopla over him,” said Smith. 

Canyon is a big baby who’s going to get a whole lot of love. And possibly, a scholarship.

“I’ve been jokingly shouting out ‘Jerry Jones’ because, you know,” said Smith.

Texas A&M has been hard at work attempting to rebuild the trenches on both sides of the ball thus far through the transfer portal window.

That journey has gone smoothly as well, with the Aggies landing offensive tackles Tyree Adams (LSU) and Wilkin Formby (Alabama) as well as interior linemen Coen Echols (LSU) and Trovon Baugh (South Carolina) on one side of the ball, and edge rushers Ryan Henderson (San Diego State) and Anto Saka (Northwestern) and defensive tackle Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado) on the other.

Now, they have added another name to that mix on the defensive side of the ball, and have done so from another power conference talent.

According to multiple reports, the Aggies have gained a commitment from Illinois defensive tackle Angelo McCullom. He made his decision final following a recent visit to Aggieland.

Who is Angelo McCullom?

The sophomore defensive lineman has spent his first two seasons with Illinois and will have two years of college eligibility remaining.

The six-foot-two, 300-pound defensive lineman saw the field in all 12 games for Illinois this season and earned two starts. In his appearances, McCullom recorded 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups this season.

The sophomore was also on the field plenty throughout 2025 as he played 295 snaps, the most among Illinois interior defensive linemen, where he earned a 66.9 grade by Pro Football Focus.

McCullom saw the field quickly as a true freshman in the 2024 season, where he played in seven games and tallied two tackles, .5 tackles for loss, and .5 sacks.

The product out of Pickerington North High School in Lewis Center, OH, was a three-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class. McCullom ranked as the No. 139 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 46 prospect in Ohio, per 247Sports, and committed to Illinois over the likes of Indiana and Pittsburgh.

McCullom now joins Davis-Swain on the interior, who committed to Texas A&M earlier this week on Jan. 5. The six-foot-four, 290-pound defensive lineman recorded 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and one pass defended for the Buffaloes this season.

And his addition now brings in an experienced player in a physical conference like the Big Ten, with the size and frame that can hold up and be productive in the SEC.

The two additions doesn’t mean the Aggies are done on the interior defensively.

Rather, far from it. And far from being done in the portal overall.