Game wardens in Tarrant County investigated a report of an angler catching an alligator last month at Lake Arlington.
FORT WORTH, Texas — What began as a routine day of fishing at Eugene McCray at Lake Arlington turned into an unusual encounter for Mark Everett.
“A lot of people say there’s no fish in this lake, so I see it as a challenge,” he said, glancing at the lake.
On March 22, Everett said he was fishing for catfish when something unexpected took the line.
“It was an unreal experience… It was really, really weird,” he said.
Instead of a fish, Everett said he reeled in an alligator.
“I was on the side of the boat like this, and I pulled it on up — and it was a dang alligator,” he said.
He recorded the encounter and posted video online, saying he later released the animal near where it was caught.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, game wardens in Tarrant County investigated a report of an angler catching an alligator at Lake Arlington around midnight that day.
Officials said the angler brought the alligator to shore to remove it from the fishing line, then livestreamed on social media for about two hours while feeding the animal and encouraging others to come take photos with it.
Following the investigation, officials said the angler was issued citations for Illegal possession of an alligator, intentional feeding of a free-ranging alligator, and not having a hunter’s education certificate.
He also received a warning for hunting without a license, according to officials.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials note that unintentionally catching an alligator while fishing is not a violation, as long as the animal is immediately released.
However, intentionally feeding an alligator is illegal.
Officials warn that feeding alligators can cause them to become accustomed to humans and associate people with food, increasing the risk of dangerous encounters.
Alligator sightings at Lake Arlington are not unheard of. In 2018, WFAA reported another gator sighting at the lake. Everett described the encounter as something out of a video game.
“It’s some kind of video game… that’s the best way that I can describe it,” he said.
Wildlife officials say the takeaway is simple, If you encounter an alligator — keep your distance.