MLF Fisheries Management Division Teams Up with American Feeder, TPWD and Local Volunteers for Conservation Efforts in Early, Texas

Professional anglers who competed in Early, Texas, last week at the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq left Central Texas with more than just quality entertainment and good impressions. The MLF Fisheries Management Division (FMD) partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Texas Pro Lake Management and several local fishing teams to complete two Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Projects supported by MossBack Fish Habitat and American Feeder.


As part of the first project, American Feeder provided two high-strength, aluminum fish feeders to be placed in Early Town Center Lake. Each feeder holds up to 75 pounds of fish food. The feeders were presented to the City of Early Mayor Robert Mangrum, Council Member Charles Matlock and city staff by MLF pros Gary Klein, Alton Jones Jr. and Ott Defoe and MLF FMD Director Steven Bardin.


"We were thrilled to partner with the MLF Fisheries Management Division, Texas Pro Lake Management, TPWD and the City of Early, Texas to support the lake rehabilitation at the Early Town Center Lake,” said Matt Swainbank, Sales Manager at American Feeder. “Creating a space for local and youth anglers to fish is vital to our industry, and we were glad the opportunity arose in conjunction with the General Tire Team Series event.  Our two H125 aluminum fish feeders will be a great addition to the lake enhancement project.  These feeders will help continue to grow the sunfish, bass, trout and catfish populations there for years to come."


The second project began on Lake Brownwood in September, when the TPWD worked with the De Leon High School Fishing Team and the MLF FMD to assess the lake and locate sites that were more than 14 feet deep and near prominent fishing locations. Seven sites were selected for habitat deployment.


In early October, volunteers from the TPWD, Texas Pro Lake Management and the Tarleton State University Fisheries Society built artificial fishing habitat – the MossBack 40-inch Conservation Cubes and 60-inch Safe Haven XL habitats for deployment. The products were anchored using concrete supplies provided by the local Home Depot store in Brownwood, Texas. Additional habitat was also provided by the TPWD Habitat and Angler Access Program in the form of Reef Balls from the Reef Ball Foundation, and concrete culverts were provided by the Brown County Water Improvement District. The habitats will be deployed the second week of November.


Six pro anglers competing in the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup volunteered their time on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Early Town Center Lake to fish with local youth and community members at the MLF Fishing with the Pros event. Those pros included Brent Chapman, Justin Cooper, Ott DeFoe, Gary Klein, Wesley Strader and Martin Villa. Early Town Center Lake is a 7-acre lake stocked with bluegill, sunfish, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish and rainbow trout and is maintained to promote fishing in the community.


“We can’t say enough great things about Major League Fishing, the Fisheries Management Division and the impact the organization has left on the Early community,” said Tony Aaron, Early City Administrator. “The economic impact of the event and the time the pros spent with our community and staff were invaluable, and the habitat deployment and conservation efforts in Lake Brownwood and Early Town Center Lake will benefit our community for years to come. Thank you to the TPWD, American Feeder, Texas Pro Lake Management and everyone who volunteered their time for this project.”


Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq, highlighting Lake Brownwood and Early, Texas, will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and will be available to stream on MOTV.


For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and  YouTube.