Fishing Caddo Lake: Species, Rules, and a Mercury Advisory

Caddo Lake covers about 26,800 acres and crosses the state line. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel, white bass, and sunfish. This note is for the Texas side of the lake. It is illegal to move live nongame fish from Caddo Lake to any other water body.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a fish consumption advisory for Caddo Lake. Largemouth bass and freshwater drum have high mercury levels. The advisory says eat no more than two meals per month of those species. Catfish, crappie, and carp showed lower mercury levels. Before eating fish you catch, check the TPWD and DSHS websites for current advisories.