In all of 2020, 22 people died fishing in Texas, of which nine were wade fishing. In wade fishing, anglers carry all their gear with them while fishing in the water.

"With a few popular fishing months left in the year, now is the time to raise public awareness of safety hazards facing local anglers, especially those fishing on foot," stated Assistant Commander Cody Jones, Texas Parks and Wildlife Boating Law Administrator, in the release. "River currents, rip tides and the ever-shifting bottoms in tidally influenced areas lead to significant risks for wade fisherman in these coastal environments, making it imperative that participants take steps to mitigate such risks."