Texas Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits Texas anglers work under, taken from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) guide for Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027. Statewide means the default: most states, Texas included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Texas has no closed season for freshwater fish; you can fish year-round on public water. Southern flounder is the main seasonal exception on the coast: no harvest from November 1 through December 14. You will still need the Texas fishing license, which runs $30 for residents and $58 for non-residents; the Texas fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyTexas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
Regulation yearSep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027
Free fishingFirst Saturday in June, statewide, no license needed. Fishing inside a Texas state park never needs a license.
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

Texas freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Guadalupe and Alabama bassMany reservoirs carry their own slot or minimum. 5 combined 14 in. minimum (largemouth and smallmouth); none for spotted, Guadalupe, Alabama
Striped and hybrid striped bassLake Texoma has its own possession rule. 5 combined 18 in. minimum
White bass 25 10 in. minimum
Crappie (white and black) 25 combined 10 in. minimum
Channel and blue catfishOnly 10 of the 25 may be 20 inches or longer. 25 combined None
Flathead catfish 5 18 in. minimum
Walleye and saugeyeOnly 2 may be under 16 inches. 5 None
Rainbow and brown troutGuadalupe River tailrace has special trout rules. 5 combined None
Alligator garMandatory harvest reporting. Falcon Reservoir is an exception. 1 None
Sunfish (bluegill, redear and others) No limit None

Texas saltwater limits

Headline coastal species. Federal waters and species with quotas can close mid-season; check the official saltwater guide before a trip.
Species Daily bag Length
Red drum (redfish)One oversize fish per license year with the Red Drum Tag, plus one with the Bonus tag. 3 20-28 in. slot
Spotted seatroutOne fish over 28 inches per license year with the Spotted Seatrout Tag. 3 15-20 in. slot
Southern flounderClosed November 1 through December 14. 5 15 in. minimum
Black drumOne fish over 52 inches per day counts toward the bag. 5 14-30 in. slot

Saltwater source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department saltwater regulations.

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the Texas fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in Texas?

Statewide, Texas allows 5 combined largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, guadalupe and alabama bass per day, with a length rule of 14 in. minimum (largemouth and smallmouth); none for spotted, guadalupe, alabama. Many reservoirs carry their own slot or minimum. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in Texas?

The statewide daily limit is 25 combined, size rule 10 in. minimum.

What is the catfish limit in Texas?

Channel and blue catfish: 25 combined per day, none. Only 10 of the 25 may be 20 inches or longer.

What is the trout limit in Texas?

Rainbow and brown trout: 5 combined per day, none. Guadalupe River tailrace has special trout rules.

Is there a closed season for fishing in Texas?

Texas has no closed season for freshwater fish; you can fish year-round on public water. Southern flounder is the main seasonal exception on the coast: no harvest from November 1 through December 14.

When can you fish without a license in Texas?

First Saturday in June, statewide, no license needed. Fishing inside a Texas state park never needs a license.

Do I need a license to fish in Texas?

Yes for most adults. The annual Texas fishing license costs $30 for residents and $58 for non-residents. Freshwater package shown. Saltwater is $35 resident/$63 non-resident; all-water combo is $40 resident/$68 non-resident. Fees valid through Aug 31, 2026. $5 admin fee on online/phone purchases. See the Texas fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these Texas limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regulation guide for Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.