Fishing / Freshwater
Freshwater fish in Texas.
Lakes, rivers, and ponds. Tap any fish for the full card with limits, notes, and the official link. Remember: many famous lakes have their own special rules that override the statewide limits - always check your lake.
Bass
Bass
Largemouth, smallmouth & other black bass
Largemouth are the giants people chase; Guadalupe bass is the official Texas state fish.
- Daily:
- 5 per day, in any combination of the five black bass.
- Size:
- 14-inch minimum for largemouth and smallmouth. No minimum for spotted, Guadalupe, and Alabama bass.
Bass
Striped & hybrid striped bass
A strong fight in big open water and tailraces.
- Daily:
- 5 per day, in any combination.
- Size:
- 18-inch minimum (statewide).
Bass
White bass
A smaller cousin that runs up rivers to spawn in spring.
- Daily:
- 25 per day.
- Size:
- 10-inch minimum.
Catfish
Catfish
Recently changedChannel & blue catfish
Found in nearly every lake and river in the state.
- Daily:
- 25 per day combined (channel and blue together), and no more than 10 may be 20 inches or longer.
- Size:
- No minimum length.
Catfish
Flathead catfish
The bruiser of Texas catfish.
- Daily:
- 5 per day.
- Size:
- 18-inch minimum.
Panfish
Panfish
Crappie (white & black)
A favorite panfish across Texas lakes.
- Daily:
- 25 per day, in any combination.
- Size:
- 10-inch minimum.
Panfish
Sunfish (bluegill, redear)
Often called 'perch' - perfect for a first fishing trip.
- Daily:
- No daily limit.
- Size:
- No size limit.
Trout
Other
Quick limits table
Statewide limits. Possession is usually twice the daily limit. Sunfish and many other small fish have no limit.
- Size limit 14-inch minimum for largemouth and smallmouth. No minimum for spotted, Guadalupe, and Alabama bass.Daily limit 5 per day, in any combination of the five black bass.
- Size limit 18-inch minimum (statewide).Daily limit 5 per day, in any combination.
- Size limit 10-inch minimum.Daily limit 25 per day.
- Channel & blue catfish Recently changedSize limit No minimum length.Daily limit 25 per day combined (channel and blue together), and no more than 10 may be 20 inches or longer.
- Size limit 18-inch minimum.Daily limit 5 per day.
- Size limit 10-inch minimum.Daily limit 25 per day, in any combination.
- Size limit No size limit.Daily limit No daily limit.
- Size limit No minimum (statewide).Daily limit 5 per day, in any combination (statewide).
- Size limit No statewide size limit (some waters have special rules).Daily limit 1 per day statewide (5 per day at Falcon International Reservoir).
Official sources
Freshwater limits come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Many lakes have their own rules, so check the Exceptions page for your water.
- Data vintage:
- Built on the 2025-2026 license year
- Last reviewed:
- July 10, 2026
- TPWD Freshwater Bag & Length Limits - Statewide lake and river limits
- TPWD Exceptions to Statewide Limits - Lake-by-lake special rules
Before you act: Statewide limits and lake exceptions change. The official TPWD freshwater pages are the final word. How to use Texas Porch carefully.
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