Texas · Fishing regulations

Fishing regulations in Texas.

Texas is a fishing universe — trophy largemouth bass on the giants of East Texas, Guadalupe bass and stocked rainbows in the Hill Country, and a coastal flats fishery for trout and reds that goes underappreciated nationally.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · License: Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid fishing license to fish in Texas. Resident and non-resident licenses are sold online through the TPWD and at most sporting goods retailers. Annual, multi-day, and lifetime licenses are typically available. Senior, military, and youth discounts apply in most cases. A freshwater stamp endorsement and saltwater stamp endorsement are required separately for those waters; Texas combines licenses + endorsements rather than issuing standalone trout licenses. License costs and exact age thresholds change — verify with the TPWD before purchase.

Freshwater

Largemouth bass is iconic — Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Falcon, Amistad, and Lake Fork have produced or held state-record bass. Striped bass on Texoma and Whitney. Channel and blue catfish in the Trinity, Brazos, and others. Year-round seasons.

Rivers

The Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam is the southernmost trout fishery in the country, supported entirely by stocking. Smallmouth and Guadalupe bass (the state fish) on Hill Country streams. The Trinity, Brazos, and Sabine produce big catfish.

Saltwater

Speckled trout, redfish, flounder, snook (rare), tarpon, kingfish, and offshore species along the Gulf Coast. The Lower Laguna Madre and Galveston Bay are famous trout-and-redfish destinations.

Special

ShareLunker program tags trophy largemouth bass over 13 pounds. Guadalupe River trout fishery has specific regulations including catch-and-release sections. Coastal trout and redfish bag limits adjusted in recent years.

Popular species

Largemouth bass · Spotted seatrout · Redfish · Striped bass · Channel catfish · Guadalupe bass · Tarpon

State agency

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Agency site →

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