This is the Official Texas Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Texas state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Texas Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Texas state fishing regulations books.
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Weather its Texas Trout fishing, Texas bass fishing, Texas striper fishing, Texas Salmon fishing, Texas Catfish fishing, Texas steelhead fishing, Texas Panfish fishing, Texas pike/muskie fishing, Texas Walleye fishing  We have the Texas state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Texas fishing maps, Texas state fishing maps, or just some Texas fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Texas Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Texas, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including B.A. Steinhagen Lake, Belton Lake, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Cooper Lake, Diversion Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake E.V. Spence, Grapevine Lake, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Bridgeport, Lake Brownwood, Lake Buchanan, Lake Caddo, Lake Conroe, Lake Corpus Christi, Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Granbury, Lake Houston, Lake J.B. Thomas, Lake Kemp, Lake Kickapoo, Lake Lewisville, Lake Limestone, Lake Livingston, Lake Lyndon B Johnson, Lake Meredith, Lake O the Pines, Lake Palestine, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Somerville, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texana, Lake Texoma, Lake Travis, Lake Waco, Lake Whitney, Lake Worth, Lavon Lake, Martin Creek Lake, Medina Lake, Navarro Mills Lake, O.C. Fisher Lake, O.H. Ivie Lake, Palo Duro Reservoir, Pat Mayse Lake, Possom Kingdom Lake, Proctor Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Stamford Reservoir, Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Toledo Bend, Twin Buttes Reservoir, Wright Patman Lake and others. Many of the lakes in Texas have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Texas is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Striped Bass fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Walleye, Catfish, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Saugeye, Aligator Gar, Longnose Gar, Spotted Gar, Bowfin and sunfish including Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish, Tilapia, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Texas by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass Fishing in in Texas.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Texas area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Texas

When it comes to bass fishing lakes, Texas has almost too many to mention. These are some of the larger lakes in Texas with populations of bass - B.A. Steinhagen Lake, Belton Lake, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Cooper Lake, Diversion Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake E.V. Spence, Grapevine Lake, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Bridgeport, Lake Brownwood, Lake Buchanan, Lake Caddo, Lake Conroe, Lake Corpus Christi, Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Granbury, Lake Houston, Lake J.B. Thomas, Lake Kemp, Lake Kickapoo, Lake Lewisville, Lake Limestone, Lake Livingston, Lake Lyndon B Johnson, Lake Meredith, Lake O the Pines, Lake Palestine, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Somerville, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texana, Lake Texoma, Lake Travis, Lake Waco, Lake Whitney, Lake Worth, Lavon Lake, Martin Creek Lake, Medina Lake, Navarro Mills Lake, O.C. Fisher Lake, O.H. Ivie Lake, Palo Duro Reservoir, Pat Mayse Lake, Possom Kingdom Lake, Proctor Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Stamford Reservoir, Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Toledo Bend, Twin Buttes Reservoir and Wright Patman Lake

Lake Fork yielded the Texas state record largemouth bass and the TX state record smallmouth bass was caught out of Lake Meredith.

Trout Fishing in Texas

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Waters In Texas

The Guadalupe River produced the Texas state record brook trout, the TX state record brown trout and the state record rainbow trout. It is the major trout fishing water in Texas. Other lakes, parks, ponds and rivers also contain stocked trout. Click here for a schedule of trout stocking in texas.

Walleye Fishing in Texas

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Texas

Lake Meredith and Palo Duro Reservoir are the two major lakes in Texas with healthy populations of walleye. White River Reservoir also has walleye. Lake Meredith produced the Texas state record walleye.

Texas walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Texas walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Texas

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Texas

Crappie make their home in most every major lake in Texas, including B.A. Steinhagen Lake, Belton Lake, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Cooper Lake, Diversion Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake E.V. Spence, Grapevine Lake, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Bridgeport, Lake Brownwood, Lake Buchanan, Lake Caddo, Lake Conroe, Lake Corpus Christi, Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Granbury, Lake Houston, Lake J.B. Thomas, Lake Kemp, Lake Kickapoo, Lake Lewisville, Lake Limestone, Lake Livingston, Lake Lyndon B Johnson, Lake Meredith, Lake O the Pines, Lake Palestine, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Somerville, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texana, Lake Texoma, Lake Travis, Lake Waco, Lake Whitney, Lake Worth, Lavon Lake, Martin Creek Lake, Medina Lake, Navarro Mills Lake, O.C. Fisher Lake, O.H. Ivie Lake, Palo Duro Reservoir, Pat Mayse Lake, Possom Kingdom Lake, Proctor Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Stamford Reservoir, Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Toledo Bend, Twin Buttes Reservoir and Wright Patman Lake.

Crappie are also found in most ponds, small lakes and rivers across the state as well. Lake Fork yielded the Texas state record black crappie and the TX state record white crappie was taken out of Navarro Mills Lake.

Catfish Fishing in Texas

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Texas

Let's start with the major lakes with catfish. They include B.A. Steinhagen Lake, Belton Lake, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Cooper Lake, Diversion Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake E.V. Spence, Grapevine Lake, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Bridgeport, Lake Brownwood, Lake Buchanan, Lake Caddo, Lake Conroe, Lake Corpus Christi, Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Granbury, Lake Houston, Lake J.B. Thomas, Lake Kemp, Lake Kickapoo, Lake Lewisville, Lake Limestone, Lake Livingston, Lake Lyndon B Johnson, Lake Meredith, Lake O the Pines, Lake Palestine, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Somerville, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texana, Lake Texoma, Lake Travis, Lake Waco, Lake Whitney, Lake Worth, Lavon Lake, Martin Creek Lake, Medina Lake, Navarro Mills Lake, O.C. Fisher Lake, O.H. Ivie Lake, Palo Duro Reservoir, Pat Mayse Lake, Possom Kingdom Lake, Proctor Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Stamford Reservoir, Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Toledo Bend, Twin Buttes Reservoir and Wright Patman Lake.

Most rivers in Texas also have good to excellent catfish fishing as do many small lakes and ponds.

Lake Texoma yielded the Texas state record blue catfish and the TX state record channel catfish was taken out of the Pedernales River. Lake Palestine was home to the TX state record flathead catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in Texas for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish, Tilapia, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch and Other TX Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Texas and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Texas

Quick. Name a major lake in Texas without panfish. It would be difficult to do. Major lakes with healthy populations of panfish include B.A. Steinhagen Lake, Belton Lake, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Cooper Lake, Diversion Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake E.V. Spence, Grapevine Lake, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Bridgeport, Lake Brownwood, Lake Buchanan, Lake Caddo, Lake Conroe, Lake Corpus Christi, Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Granbury, Lake Houston, Lake J.B. Thomas, Lake Kemp, Lake Kickapoo, Lake Lewisville, Lake Limestone, Lake Livingston, Lake Lyndon B Johnson, Lake Meredith, Lake O the Pines, Lake Palestine, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Somerville, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texana, Lake Texoma, Lake Travis, Lake Waco, Lake Whitney, Lake Worth, Lavon Lake, Martin Creek Lake, Medina Lake, Navarro Mills Lake, O.C. Fisher Lake, O.H. Ivie Lake, Palo Duro Reservoir, Pat Mayse Lake, Possom Kingdom Lake, Proctor Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Stamford Reservoir, Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Toledo Bend, Twin Buttes Reservoir and Wright Patman Lake.

You'll also find panfish in most ponds, rivers and lakes. Purtis Creek yielded the Texas state record bluegill and the TX state record green sunfish was taken out of Tehuacana Creek. Bardwell Lake produced the Texas state record hybrid sunfish and Lake Fork was home to the state record longear sunfish. The Comal River turned out the state record redbreast sunfish and the TX state record redear sunfish and warmouth both came out of Town Lake. The Texas state record spotted sunfish was pulled out of Onion Creek and the state record yellow perch was served up by Lake Meredith.

Striper Fishing in Texas

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striped Bass Fishing Lakes In Texas

Texas anglers are fortunate to have a host of striper fishing lakes across the state. The major lakes in Texas with healthy populations of stripers include Belton Lake, Canyon Lake, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Cooper Lake, Lake E.V. Spence, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Lake Bridgeport, Lake Brownwood, Lake Buchanan, Lake Conroe, Lake Granbury, Lake Kemp, Lake Lewisville, Lake Livingston, Lake Palestine, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Somerville, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texoma, Lake Travis, Lake Whitney, Lavon Lake, Medina Lake, Pat Mayse Lake, Possom Kingdom Lake, Proctor Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Toledo Bend and Wright Patman Lake. The Brazos River yielded the Texas state record striped bass.
Fishing for Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Saugeye, Aligator Gar, Longnose Gar, Spotted Gar, Bowfin in Texas.
Snook Fishing in Texas
Overall the fish may not be as big or as numerous in South Texas as they are in South Florida, but they are definitely present in fishable numbers.

Although snook can be caught all year long, they are most consistently taken in late fall and winter. This has more to with the location of the fish during this time of year than any increase in feeding behavior. As fall turns to winter, snook begin funneling off the flats and leaving the jetties for the insulated comfort of deepwater structure in the Brownsville Ship Channel.

Snook are perhaps the most vulnerable of any Texas gamefish when a frost sets in. However, anywhere along the length of the channel offers sufficient depth to provide protection against fast moving fronts and dropping temperatures. In addition to deep water, snook crave structure and will seek out docks, pilings and any other obstruction they can call home.

The fish will most often hold tight to the structure and therefore require fairly stout tackle. When casting under docks and pilings for snook, try using a 6 ½ foot medium heavy rod and 20 pound line. An additional couple of feet of heavier mono should be used as a shock leader. Most situations can be handled with 35 pound test, although larger fish might require 40 or 50 pound shock leader.

Set the drag fairly heavy on the reel and be prepared to thumb the spool on the hookset. It is imperative to get the fish moving away from structure as soon as it hits and no line should be allowed to slip out until the fish is clear. If the fish manages to wrestle its way back into structure and wraps the line, try giving some slack. Often times this will relax the fish, allowing the angler to work it away from the obstruction. Most important, however, is relieving any tension as the line rubs against barnacles and other sharp objects. Once the line is clear, tighten down and try to convince the fish to fight in open water.

Fighting the fish is just one problem. Getting them to strike is another. Again, concentrate your search on visible structure. Snook prefer to sit inside or under docks, bridges and other structure. Here they will ambush shrimp and baitfish. Skipping finger mullet or jumbo shrimp will draw plenty of strikes.

Tarpon Fishing in Texas
Tarpon often show up on the Texas coast in June and may stay until October, but August and September are the most dependable months to hook one. The best days to look for them are when the gulf goes flat. They are most often found in 20-40 ft. of water in areas where the outflow from major passes attracts large schools of bait fish. The entire coast between San Luis Pass and Sabine Pass is prime territory. The hunt for fish can consume a lot of time and fuel. The nearshore gulf is practically featureless and the predators in this zone are found near schools of bait. Look for concentrations of bait fish on the surface and watch your sonar for bait holding deep. Sometimes working birds and slicks help to locate them. Also watch for tarpon feeding or gulping air on the surface. Often schools of tarpon are seen greyhounding or traveling in formation en route to another location. Although these fish can be caught, they are not feeding and are moving fast. Spending too much time on them usually spooks them and results in more frustration than success for me. If there are no other boats in the area to contend with, it might be better to follow them without getting too close and hope they stop. On the other hand, if you see single fish randomly slow rolling in an area, pick up your cell phone and call me immediately!
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