Freshwater / Other

Alligator gar

A giant, ancient fish - and a Texas specialty.

Texas has some of the best alligator gar fishing in the country, and it's managed carefully.

Daily limit

1 per day, anywhere in Texas.

No statewide size limit (some waters have special rules).

You must report every alligator gar you keep within 24 hours (except from Falcon Reservoir) using the Texas Hunt & Fish app or website.
A gar taken with a bow may not be released back into the water.
No alligator gar may be taken in May from the Red River and Lake Texoma area (Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, Red River, and Bowie counties).

Source to confirm: TPWD Alligator Gar Restrictions

More freshwater fish

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

A strong fight in big open water and tailraces.

Bass

A smaller cousin that runs up rivers to spawn in spring.

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.

Official sources

Fishing rules for alligator gar come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the size and bag limit before you keep one.

Caution: Sizes and bag limits change, and saltwater rules change the most. The official TPWD pages are the final word.

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