Freshwater / Catfish
Flathead catfish
A big, predatory catfish that hits live bait.
The bruiser of Texas catfish.
Daily limit
5 per day.
Size limit
18-inch minimum.
Source to confirm: TPWD Freshwater Bag & Length Limits
More freshwater fish
Others to target
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.
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.
Official sources
Fishing rules for flathead catfish come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the size and bag limit before you keep one.
- Data vintage:
- Built on the 2025-2026 license year
- Last reviewed:
- July 10, 2026
- TPWD Freshwater Bag & Length Limits - Official page for this fish
- TPWD Freshwater Bag & Length Limits
- TPWD Fishing Regulations
Before you act: Sizes and bag limits change, and saltwater rules change the most. The official TPWD pages are the final word. How to use Texas Porch carefully.
Page feedback
Report something wrong or unclear.
Send a note about this page. The page address will be included automatically.
Page feedback
Send a note
The page you're on will be included automatically.