The Port O’Connor Paddling Trail is one of the most beautiful and unknown trails along the Texas coast. Fisherman, Bird Watchers and Kayakers out for a day enjoy these waters.
The Port O’Connor Paddling Trail consists of three trails totaling a little more than 25 miles. The Fishpond trail (12.3 miles) begins in Port O’Connor and travels through a number of bayous and cuts along the edge of Espiritu Santo Bay to Saluria Bayou, where it joins the 8.28-mile South Loop trail. From Mule Slough, the Fish Pond and North Loop (4.82 miles) trails continue east toward Sunday Beach on the Gulf of Mexico and to Lighthouse Cove, near the historic Matagorda Island Lighthouse. The scene of fighting during the Civil War (Confederate trench lines still may be seen here), the northern end of Matagorda Island is now managed by TPWD as a Wildlife Management Area. Camping is permitted.
Use of the picnic area near paddling sign #35 is permissible for day-use as long as you stay in the campground area. While there are picnic tables at the site, there is no water or restrooms. If you choose to camp overnight or you want to hike, bike or tour the island for any reason, you must possess either a Limited Public Use Permit or an Annual Public Hunting Permit. The permits can be purchased at any place that sells hunting or fishing licenses. For questions about rules governing use of the island, contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 979-244-7697.
There are local guides that will take you to the island. Go to portoconnorchamber.org for a listing of guides in the area. The Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote Port O’Connor and its businesses. Port O’Connor is a sleepy little unincorporated community that has a vast array of potential. With the natural beauty of the beaches both bay and gulf (accessible by boat), to wade fishing from the Nature Park at Boggy Bayou and King Fisher Beach, fishing from the King Fisher Beach Pier under the green light at night, to bird watching, fishing, hunting, and kayaking or just relaxing, read a book or take a walk on the beach. Port O’Connor has several motels, Bed & Breakfast and RV parks for accommodations while visiting. There are several local restaurants as well. So visit us in Port O’Connor the “Best Kept Secret on the Coast”.
The small islands that border the trail and Matagorda Island support a wide variety of shore and migratory birds and 19 federally listed threatened or endangered species. The area is known for producing redfish, speckled trout, drum and other popular fish. Trout and large redfish are commonly caught all year long. Adding to the variety, a large heard of whitetail deer can sometimes be seen on Matagorda Island, along with the occasional alligator
While many coastal paddling trails are adjacent to public lands, some are adjacent to private property. Respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. Use of private land adjacent to the water without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing. Under Texas Penal Code (30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption. Information gathered from the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
