A North Texas fisherman is facing multiple wildlife citations after he reeled in a live alligator while fishing for catfish at Lake Arlington in Tarrant County.
Mark Everett was fishing around midnight on March 22 at the Eugene McCray area of Lake Arlington when something hit his line hard. He expected a big catfish. Instead, he pulled up a live alligator. Everett brought the reptile to shore, removed it from the fishing line, then kept it out of the water for about two hours. He livestreamed the encounter on social media, hand-fed the animal, and invited others to take photos and videos with it before releasing the gator unharmed near where it was caught.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens in Tarrant County investigated the report and issued Everett citations for illegal possession of an alligator, intentional feeding of a free-ranging alligator, and failing to have a hunter’s education certificate. He also received a warning for hunting without a license.
TPWD officials say unintentionally catching an alligator while fishing is not a violation as long as the animal is released immediately. But keeping the gator, feeding it, and allowing public interaction violated state regulations designed to protect both people and wildlife. Feeding alligators can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and lead to dangerous encounters in the future.
No one was injured during the incident, and the alligator was released without harm. Alligator sightings at Lake Arlington are occasional but not unheard of; one was reported in the same lake in 2018.
The case highlights Texas wildlife rules for anglers and the public. Game wardens emphasize keeping a safe distance from alligators and never feeding or handling them.
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TPWD officials say unintentionally catching an alligator while fishing is not a violation as long as the animal is released immediately.
TPWD officials say unintentionally catching an alligator while fishing is not a violation as long as the animal is released immediately.
