When is striped bass season in Texas?

Texas keeps striped 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 striped bass?

The Texas daily bag limit for striped bass is 5 / day (striped and hybrid striped bass combined); Lake Texoma 10 / day. The possession limit is 10 in possession (double the daily bag); Lake Texoma 20 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size striped bass can you keep in Texas?

The Texas size rule for striped bass is 18 in minimum statewide; no minimum length at Lake Texoma (only 2 of the 10 may be 20 in or longer). Trophy rule: Lake Texoma is one of only two large US inland reservoirs with a self-sustaining, naturally reproducing striped bass population; its 10-fish bag allows only 2 fish 20 in or longer — a strong trophy-protection rule — and culling is prohibited..

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

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

Yes. In Texas, striped bass fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line; trolling and live shad permitted; Lake Texoma requires the joint TX/OK compact — a current Texas (or Oklahoma) annual fishing licence, or the dedicated Lake Texoma Licence, is valid lake-wide; Culling of striped and hybrid striped bass is prohibited at Lake Texoma.

Do specific Texas waters have different striped bass rules?

Yes. 3 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide striped bass regulation, including Lake Texoma, Lake Livingston, Possum Kingdom Lake. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

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

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Last updated May 29, 2026

Striped bass have been stocked into Texas reservoirs and tailraces since the 1960s and now anchor open-water fisheries on the Colorado, Brazos, Trinity, and Red river systems. The statewide rule is simple — 5 fish a day (striped and hybrid striped bass combined), 18 in minimum — but Lake Texoma, the celebrated self-sustaining striper fishery shared with Oklahoma, runs its own rule under a joint licence compact. Spring runs below dams and on tributary arms are the peak.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide; spring runs below dams and on tributary arms are the densest window.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day (striped and hybrid striped bass combined); Lake Texoma 10 / day
Possession: 10 in possession (double the daily bag); Lake Texoma 20 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in minimum statewide; no minimum length at Lake Texoma (only 2 of the 10 may be 20 in or longer)
Trophy rule: Lake Texoma is one of only two large US inland reservoirs with a self-sustaining, naturally reproducing striped bass population; its 10-fish bag allows only 2 fish 20 in or longer — a strong trophy-protection rule — and culling is prohibited.

Gear restrictions

Pole-and-line; trolling and live shad permitted
Lake Texoma requires the joint TX/OK compact — a current Texas (or Oklahoma) annual fishing licence, or the dedicated Lake Texoma Licence, is valid lake-wide
Culling of striped and hybrid striped bass is prohibited at Lake Texoma

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Texas waters:

Lake Texoma
10 / day combined striped + hybrid striped bass, only 2 may be 20 in or longer, no minimum length; 20 in possession; joint TX/OK licence compact valid lake-wide; culling prohibited
Lake Livingston
Major Trinity River reservoir striper fishery; statewide 5 / day, 18 in minimum applies
Possum Kingdom Lake
Brazos River reservoir with an established striped bass population; returned to the statewide 5 / day, 18 in minimum in 2012

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 striped bass rules on this page are sourced from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's official striped bass regulation page.

Visit official Texas fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Striped 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 striped bass season in Texas?: Texas keeps striped 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 striped bass?: The Texas daily bag limit for striped bass is 5 / day (striped and hybrid striped bass combined); Lake Texoma 10 / day. The possession limit is 10 in possession (double the daily bag); Lake Texoma 20 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size striped bass can you keep in Texas?: The Texas size rule for striped bass is 18 in minimum statewide; no minimum length at Lake Texoma (only 2 of the 10 may be 20 in or longer). Trophy rule: Lake Texoma is one of only two large US inland reservoirs with a self-sustaining, naturally reproducing striped bass population; its 10-fish bag allows only 2 fish 20 in or longer — a strong trophy-protection rule — and culling is prohibited..
Do you need a license to fish for striped bass in Texas?: Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for striped 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 striped bass in Texas?: Yes. In Texas, striped bass fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line; trolling and live shad permitted; Lake Texoma requires the joint TX/OK compact — a current Texas (or Oklahoma) annual fishing licence, or the dedicated Lake Texoma Licence, is valid lake-wide; Culling of striped and hybrid striped bass is prohibited at Lake Texoma.
Do specific Texas waters have different striped bass rules?: Yes. 3 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide striped bass regulation, including Lake Texoma, Lake Livingston, Possum Kingdom Lake. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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