What special fishing regulations apply at Caddo Lake?

Caddo Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Texas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Largemouth bass 14–18 in slot — keep only bass 14 in or shorter or 18 in or longer; 8 black bass combined daily, of which no more than 4 may be 18 in or longer (possession 10). Black and white crappie no minimum length, 25 / day. Channel and blue catfish no minimum, 50 combined daily and in possession (only 5 may be 30 in or longer); flathead catfish 18 in minimum, 10 / day. White bass no minimum, 25 / day. A shared TX/LA cypress lake (Harrison/Marion counties) — TX licence valid on TX waters; LA reciprocity required on the LA side." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Caddo Lake?

Yes. Caddo Lake is in Texas, so a valid Texas fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Caddo Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Texas rules.

Do Caddo Lake's special rules replace Texas' statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Texas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Caddo Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Caddo Lake?

Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Caddo Lake, each linking to its full Texas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Texas limits.

2026 regulation year

Caddo Lake 2026 — Texas Fishing Regulations

Texas statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Caddo Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Texas's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Largemouth bass 14–18 in slot — keep only bass 14 in or shorter or 18 in or longer; 8 black bass combined daily, of which no more than 4 may be 18 in or longer (possession 10). Black and white crappie no minimum length, 25 / day. Channel and blue catfish no minimum, 50 combined daily and in possession (only 5 may be 30 in or longer); flathead catfish 18 in minimum, 10 / day. White bass no minimum, 25 / day. A shared TX/LA cypress lake (Harrison/Marion counties) — TX licence valid on TX waters; LA reciprocity required on the LA side
Source: Texas special-water list

Per-species rules on Caddo Lake

Largemouth bass regulations →
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

Official source

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department publishes the authoritative 2026 Texas fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Texas fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

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

Other special-regulation waters in Texas

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Caddo Lake?: Caddo Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Texas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Largemouth bass 14–18 in slot — keep only bass 14 in or shorter or 18 in or longer; 8 black bass combined daily, of which no more than 4 may be 18 in or longer (possession 10). Black and white crappie no minimum length, 25 / day. Channel and blue catfish no minimum, 50 combined daily and in possession (only 5 may be 30 in or longer); flathead catfish 18 in minimum, 10 / day. White bass no minimum, 25 / day. A shared TX/LA cypress lake (Harrison/Marion counties) — TX licence valid on TX waters; LA reciprocity required on the LA side." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Caddo Lake?: Yes. Caddo Lake is in Texas, so a valid Texas fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Caddo Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Texas rules.
Do Caddo Lake's special rules replace Texas' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Texas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Caddo Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Caddo Lake?: Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Caddo Lake, each linking to its full Texas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Texas limits.

← Back to Texas regulations overview