When is crappie season in Texas?

Texas keeps crappie open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Texas bag limit for crappie?

The Texas daily bag limit for crappie is 25 / day (white + black combined). The possession limit is 50 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size crappie can you keep in Texas?

The Texas size rule for crappie is 10 in minimum (most waters).

Do you need a license to fish for crappie in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for crappie, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Texas license — compare resident and non-resident Texas fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for crappie in Texas?

Yes. In Texas, crappie fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line on public waters; Multi-pole rigs allowed; jugline / trotline not permitted for crappie.

Do specific Texas waters have different crappie rules?

Yes. 4 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide crappie regulation, including Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake O'the Pines, Lake Nasworthy, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Texas Crappie 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Pomoxis annularis / nigromaculatus

Last updated June 8, 2026

Crappie (white and black combined) are managed under a single statewide rule across most public Texas reservoirs: 25 / day, 10 in minimum. Lake Fork and a small handful of overlay lakes adjust the minimum size for limited windows.

Compare crappie regulations across all states →

Get change alerts

Watch Texas Crappie and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

Season

Open year-round Open year-round; springtime shallow-cover bite is the peak.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 25 / day (white + black combined)
Possession: 50 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 10 in minimum (most waters)

Gear restrictions

Pole-and-line on public waters
Multi-pole rigs allowed; jugline / trotline not permitted for crappie

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Texas waters:

Lake Fork Reservoir
Dec 1 – last day of Feb: no length limit, 25 fish daily — winter overlay
Lake O' the Pines
Dec 1 – last day of Feb: no length limit, 25 / day, all crappie caught must be retained (winter overlay). March – November: 10 in minimum. Year-round 25 / day
Lake Nasworthy
No minimum length, 25 / day — the statewide 10 in crappie minimum is lifted on this San Angelo reservoir (Tom Green County)
Lake Conroe
Statewide rule applies; community lake exemptions do not apply

Official source

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department publishes the authoritative 2026 Texasfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Texas fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Crappie closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any Texas trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is crappie season in Texas?: Texas keeps crappie open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Texas bag limit for crappie?: The Texas daily bag limit for crappie is 25 / day (white + black combined). The possession limit is 50 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size crappie can you keep in Texas?: The Texas size rule for crappie is 10 in minimum (most waters).
Do you need a license to fish for crappie in Texas?: Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for crappie, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Texas license — compare resident and non-resident Texas fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for crappie in Texas?: Yes. In Texas, crappie fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line on public waters; Multi-pole rigs allowed; jugline / trotline not permitted for crappie.
Do specific Texas waters have different crappie rules?: Yes. 4 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide crappie regulation, including Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake O'the Pines, Lake Nasworthy, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

← Back to Texas regulations overview