When is spotted seatrout (saltwater) season in Texas?

Texas keeps spotted seatrout (saltwater) 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 spotted seatrout (saltwater)?

The Texas daily bag limit for spotted seatrout (saltwater) is 3 / day. The possession limit is 6 in possession (double the daily bag). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size spotted seatrout (saltwater) can you keep in Texas?

The Texas size rule for spotted seatrout (saltwater) is 15 in minimum. Slot limit: 15–20 in slot. Trophy rule: One spotted seatrout over 28 in per licence year may be retained with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag, plus one more with a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag — these tagged fish are kept in addition to the daily bag and possession limits..

Do you need a license to fish for spotted seatrout (saltwater) in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for spotted seatrout (saltwater), 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 spotted seatrout (saltwater) in Texas?

Yes. In Texas, spotted seatrout (saltwater) fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line only — spotted seatrout may not be taken by spearing; Cast net for bait only; not a legal method for keeping seatrout; Saltwater stamp required in addition to the fishing licence.

Do specific Texas waters have different spotted seatrout (saltwater) rules?

Yes. 4 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide spotted seatrout (saltwater) regulation, including Galveston Bay system, Baffin Bay & Upper Laguna Madre, Matagorda Bay, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Texas Spotted seatrout (saltwater) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Cynoscion nebulosus

Last updated May 29, 2026

Spotted seatrout — 'specks', or speckled trout — are Texas's most-targeted inshore saltwater fish alongside red drum, holding over seagrass flats, in the surf, and around bay structure from Sabine Lake to the Lower Laguna Madre. Texas tightened the statewide rule in recent years to a 3-fish daily bag and a 15–20 in slot, with a tagged allowance for an oversized trophy. The slot now applies coastwide rather than varying by bay zone.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 3 / day
Possession: 6 in possession (double the daily bag)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 15 in minimum
Slot: 15–20 in slot
Trophy rule: One spotted seatrout over 28 in per licence year may be retained with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag, plus one more with a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag — these tagged fish are kept in addition to the daily bag and possession limits.

Gear restrictions

Pole-and-line only — spotted seatrout may not be taken by spearing
Cast net for bait only; not a legal method for keeping seatrout
Saltwater stamp required in addition to the fishing licence

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Texas waters:

Galveston Bay system
Statewide 3 / day, 15–20 in slot applies; saltwater stamp required
Baffin Bay & Upper Laguna Madre
Statewide slot applies; Texas's premier trophy-trout water — most over-28 in tag fish come from here
Matagorda Bay
Statewide 3 / day slot; seasonal oyster-reef closures posted by TPWD Coastal Fisheries
Sabine Lake
Shared TX/LA — TX rule on TX waters; LA reciprocity required on the LA side

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.

The spotted seatrout (saltwater) rules on this page are sourced from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's official spotted seatrout (saltwater) regulation page.

Visit official Texas fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Spotted seatrout (saltwater) 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 spotted seatrout (saltwater) season in Texas?: Texas keeps spotted seatrout (saltwater) 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 spotted seatrout (saltwater)?: The Texas daily bag limit for spotted seatrout (saltwater) is 3 / day. The possession limit is 6 in possession (double the daily bag). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size spotted seatrout (saltwater) can you keep in Texas?: The Texas size rule for spotted seatrout (saltwater) is 15 in minimum. Slot limit: 15–20 in slot. Trophy rule: One spotted seatrout over 28 in per licence year may be retained with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag, plus one more with a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag — these tagged fish are kept in addition to the daily bag and possession limits..
Do you need a license to fish for spotted seatrout (saltwater) in Texas?: Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for spotted seatrout (saltwater), 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 spotted seatrout (saltwater) in Texas?: Yes. In Texas, spotted seatrout (saltwater) fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line only — spotted seatrout may not be taken by spearing; Cast net for bait only; not a legal method for keeping seatrout; Saltwater stamp required in addition to the fishing licence.
Do specific Texas waters have different spotted seatrout (saltwater) rules?: Yes. 4 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide spotted seatrout (saltwater) regulation, including Galveston Bay system, Baffin Bay & Upper Laguna Madre, Matagorda Bay, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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