He thought he caught a catfish. He caught an alligator -- and a fine -- instead.

Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Apr 22, 2026

Published in Outdoors

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FORT WORTH, Texas — A local fisherman caught more than he bargained for last month on Lake Arlington when he reeled in an alligator — and a fine — instead of catfish, he told the Star-Telegram’s news partners at WFAA.

Mark Everett was out fishing for catfish at Eugene McCray Park at Lake Arlington March 22 when he felt something big on the line.

“It was an unreal experience. ... It was really, really weird,” he told WFAA. “I was on the side of the boat like this, and I pulled it on up — and it was a dang alligator.”

Everett said he recorded video of the alligator and posted video online, including a livestream. He later released the gator back in the water where it was caught.

However, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says Tarrant County game wardens investigated the incident. Officials say Everett removed the animal from the fishing line and brought it to shore.

Then, he livestreamed the gator on shore for about two hours, feeding it and encouraging other people to pose for photos with it.

Officials cited Everett for illegal possession of an alligator, intentional feeding of a free-ranging alligator and not having a hunter’s education certificate, according to WFAA. He also received a warning for hunting without a license, according to officials.

Unintentionally catching an alligator while fishing isn’t considered a violation, as long as the animal is immediately released, according to TPWD. But intentionally feeding an alligator is a misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500.

This isn’t the first time alligators have been spotted in North Texas. Another gator was spotted on Lake Arlington back in 2018, and one alligator made its way into Coppell in 2024.