Lines were tight and competition was fierce during the first ever River Rodeo! On April 4, 2026, the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) and the San Antonio River Foundation launched the first annual River Rodeo—an opportunity for anglers to log their catches and see who could catch the most fintastic fish the San Antonio River has to offer. The event was held in partnership with Angler’s Atlas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Fin Addict Angler Foundation, and Brackenridge Park Conservancy. Competitors were able to fish along the San Antonio River, from the Headwaters to the Mission Reach. So now, let’s dive into the results of the 2026 River Rodeo!
Participants of all ages joined the tournament by logging details about the fish they caught on the app Angler’s Atlas. The event ended on May 31 with 331 registered anglers and more than 2,800 fish of 16 species entered. Throughout the tournament, anglers could win weekly prizes in fun categories such as Best Feed Post, Longest Fish Caught on a Fly, and Longest Largemouth Bass—keeping participants excited and engaged!
Angler’s Atlas Dashboard – See all the results here!
Thank you to our local sponsors who donated nearly $3,000 in prizes for the winners! A total of 29 prizes were provided by Alamo Anglers, Fish Tackle and Marine, Vital Care of San Antonio, Haley Catlett and Robert Odom, Outdoor Alphas, Zun Rays Clothing, Valero, and 1-800-Radiator & AC San Antonio, and Mission Kayak. Winners received a variety of fishing gear, including rods, lures, tools, bait, and other helpful items for their next fishing trip.
2026 River Rodeo Awards
Several anglers stood out during the competition, winning the nine main categories. Check out the winners below!
Jose Cornejo won Longest Guadalupe Bass (Conventional Tackle) with a 14.5-inch bass. He also won Most Species (Youth Division) after catching 10 different species.
Edward Palacios won Longest Fish (Youth Division) with a 28.5-inch Common Carp.
Ricardo Martinez won Longest Fish (Adult Division) with a 30-inch Common Carp.
Anthony Martins won Longest Guadalupe Bass (Caught on a Fly) with a 14.5-inch bass.
Antoinette Espitia won both Most Species and Most Fish after catching 13 different species and an impressive 819 fish.
Easton Jenkins won Most Fish Caught (Youth Division) with 142 fish and Most Invasive Species Removed (Youth Division) with one invasive fish removed.
Congratulations to our main event winners! The winning anglers were invited to the River Authority Board of Directors meeting on June 8 where they received awards and were celebrated for their achievements. Many of the participants recognized one another from their posts on Angler’s Atlas during the tournament and enjoyed the chance to meet in person to share stories and celebrate. They also expressed interest in participating in this event next year!
River Rodeo was more than just a fishing challenge; it was an opportunity to combine outdoor recreation with citizen science. Each week, anglers submitted hundreds of fish entries and shared photos of their catches. With 16 fish species captured in the San Antonio River, participants recorded each fish’s length, species, and general location. This information helps our biologists better understand fish populations and the overall health of the river. The data collected can guide future river management decisions and help identify areas that need improved river access, track fish populations, and measure the success of habitat restoration projects along the river.
The tournament also fostered conservation-minded fishing practices. Participants were asked to follow state fishing regulations, use proper catch-and-release techniques when appropriate, and clean their gear between fishing trips to help prevent the spread of invasive species.
Results from the River Rodeo reveal how ongoing monitoring can reveal the long-term benefits of habitat restoration. An important project that demonstrates this is the San Antonio Mission Reach restoration, which was completed in 2013. A major goal of the project was to improve aquatic habitat and encourage fish populations to grow. Today, the restored eight-mile stretch of the Mission Reach provides more fishing access and supports many different fish species. The challenge also highlighted the success of Guadalupe Bass reintroduction efforts. Before the restoration project, Guadalupe bass were gone from this part of the river. After restoration and reintroduction efforts, they became a healthy, established population. The largest Guadalupe bass recorded during the tournament measured 14.5 inches, a catch that would make any angler proud!!!!
After the success of the first annual River Rodeo, the San Antonio River Authority is already looking ahead to next year’s event and the opportunity to bring anglers together once again. While this year’s competition has come to a close, fishing doesn’t have to end. The San Antonio River offers year-round opportunities to cast a line, explore your local waterways, and enjoy the outdoors. For those with anglers in training the River Authority hosts angler clinics for youth in partnership with Fin Addict Angler Foundation to teach the Basics of Fishing!
The River Authority also has many opportunities to explore and learn through River Warrior programs! Whether you participated in River Rodeo or are discovering the river for the first time, there’s always a reason to get out and fish. We hope to see you on the river this summer!
