Fishing Regulations in Texas
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Texas fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Texas requires a fishing license for all anglers. Resident annual licenses include a freshwater or saltwater endorsement; an all-water package is also available. Non-resident options include annual, temporary, and 1-day licenses. A saltwater endorsement is required for coastal fishing.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 14 inches minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | Special slot limits apply on Lake Fork and other trophy waters. Check current TPWD regulations. |
| spotted-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 25 per day | 10 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 25 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| blue-catfish | 25 per day (combined with channel) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| white-bass | 25 per day | 10 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| redfish | 3 per day | 20-28 inches slot limit | Year-round | One fish over 28 inches allowed per day. |
| speckled-trout | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | One fish over 25 inches allowed per day. |
| red-snapper | 2 per day | 16 inches minimum | Limited season (typically June-August) | Federal season varies annually. State waters season is longer. |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Special slot limits apply on Lake Fork and other trophy waters. Check current TPWD regulations.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: 10 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day (combined with channel)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: 10 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 3 per day
Size Limit: 20-28 inches slot limit
Season: Year-round
Notes: One fish over 28 inches allowed per day.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: One fish over 25 inches allowed per day.
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 16 inches minimum
Season: Limited season (typically June-August)
Notes: Federal season varies annually. State waters season is longer.
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Fork
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, white-bass
Lake Falcon
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, blue-catfish
Lake Amistad
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, striped-bass, channel-catfish, crappie
Lake Travis
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, striped-bass, white-bass, crappie, bluegill
Galveston Bay
baySpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, flounder, sheepshead
Port Aransas
saltwaterSpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, king-mackerel, tarpon, red-snapper
South Padre Island
saltwaterSpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, tarpon, king-mackerel, mahi-mahi
Toledo Bend
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, striped-bass
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 18 lbs 3 oz | 1992 | Lake Fork |
| blue-catfish | 121 lbs 8 oz | 2004 | Lake Texoma |
| flathead-catfish | 98 lbs 8 oz | 1998 | Lake Palestine |
| channel-catfish | 36 lbs 8 oz | 1965 | Pedernales River |
| striped-bass | 53 lbs 10 oz | 1988 | Spence Reservoir |
| white-bass | 5 lbs 9 oz | 1977 | Lake Colorado City |
| crappie | 3 lbs 10 oz | 2015 | Private Lake |
| redfish | 59 lbs 8 oz | 2000 | Gulf of Mexico |
| speckled-trout | 13 lbs 11 oz | 1996 | Baffin Bay |