When is largemouth bass season in Texas?

Texas keeps largemouth bass 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 largemouth bass?

The Texas daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 5 / day (combined with smallmouth and spotted bass). The possession limit is 10 in possession (combined black bass). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size largemouth bass can you keep in Texas?

The Texas size rule for largemouth bass is 14 in minimum on most public reservoirs. Slot limit: Slot limits on listed reservoirs (e.g. Lake Fork 16–24 in). Trophy rule: ShareLunker entries 13 lb+ from Oct 1 – Apr 30 are eligible for the breeding program.

Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, 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 largemouth bass in Texas?

Yes. In Texas, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line only on most public waters; No trotline / jugline / throw line for black bass; Tournament release rules apply on listed reservoirs.

Do specific Texas waters have different largemouth bass rules?

Yes. 9 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Falcon, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and 6 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Texas Largemouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Micropterus salmoides

Last updated June 8, 2026

Largemouth bass are Texas's flagship freshwater game fish, with most public reservoirs managed for trophy-class growth. Statewide rules apply unless a named water body carries a slot or special-regulation overlay (Lake Fork is the most-known example).

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day (combined with smallmouth and spotted bass)
Possession: 10 in possession (combined black bass)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 14 in minimum on most public reservoirs
Slot: Slot limits on listed reservoirs (e.g. Lake Fork 16–24 in)
Trophy rule: ShareLunker entries 13 lb+ from Oct 1 – Apr 30 are eligible for the breeding program

Gear restrictions

Pole-and-line only on most public waters
No trotline / jugline / throw line for black bass
Tournament release rules apply on listed reservoirs

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Texas waters:

Lake Fork Reservoir
16–24 in slot; bass 24 in+ harvestable only with ShareLunker trophy tag
Lake Falcon
Statewide 14 in minimum, 5 / day applies
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Statewide 14 in / 5 fish; bass tournament organisers must follow live-release rule
Lake Conroe
Largemouth bass 16 in minimum length — stricter than the statewide 14 in; 5 black bass combined daily
Caddo Lake
14–18 in slot — keep only bass 14 in or shorter or 18 in or longer; 8 black bass combined daily, no more than 4 of which may be 18 in or longer; shared TX/LA, LA reciprocity required on the LA side
Moss Lake
16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; a bass 24 in+ may be held briefly for a ShareLunker weigh-in, then released
Mill Creek Lake
16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; a bass 24 in+ may be held briefly for a ShareLunker weigh-in, then released
Bellwood Lake
16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; juglines, throwlines, and trotlines prohibited; ShareLunker weigh-in release for bass 24 in+
Lake Davy Crockett
16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; juglines, throwlines, and trotlines prohibited; ShareLunker weigh-in release for bass 24 in+

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

Largemouth bass 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 largemouth bass season in Texas?: Texas keeps largemouth bass 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 largemouth bass?: The Texas daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 5 / day (combined with smallmouth and spotted bass). The possession limit is 10 in possession (combined black bass). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size largemouth bass can you keep in Texas?: The Texas size rule for largemouth bass is 14 in minimum on most public reservoirs. Slot limit: Slot limits on listed reservoirs (e.g. Lake Fork 16–24 in). Trophy rule: ShareLunker entries 13 lb+ from Oct 1 – Apr 30 are eligible for the breeding program.
Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Texas?: Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, 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 largemouth bass in Texas?: Yes. In Texas, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line only on most public waters; No trotline / jugline / throw line for black bass; Tournament release rules apply on listed reservoirs.
Do specific Texas waters have different largemouth bass rules?: Yes. 9 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Falcon, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and 6 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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