Texas fisherman accidentally catches alligator while night fishing

During a night fishing trip near Arlington Lake in Texas, Mark Everett accidentally hooked an alligator while searching for catfish. Everett reported feeling an unusually strong pull on his line that caused his boat to spin, initially leading him to believe he had caught a large catfish.

Upon bringing the creature closer to the surface, Everett realized it was an alligator. He recorded the encounter on his phone and live-streamed the event on social media. After bringing the animal to shore, he kept it on land for approximately two hours, during which time he fed the animal and allowed onlookers to take photos and videos. The alligator was eventually released back into the lake unharmed.

The incident drew attention from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department following the viral social media posts. However, reports indicate that Everett did not violate regulations, as the accidental catch was not considered an offense when the animal is released immediately after being removed from the line.