What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Kirby?

Lake Kirby carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Texas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Channel and blue catfish: no minimum length, 25 combined daily, of which only 5 may be 20 in or longer and only 1 of those 30 in or longer. A small Abilene municipal lake (Taylor County)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Kirby?

Yes. Lake Kirby 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 Lake Kirby; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Texas rules.

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

Only where they conflict. Texas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Kirby 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 Lake Kirby?

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

2026 regulation year

Lake Kirby 2026 — Texas Fishing Regulations

Texas statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

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

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State-level special regulation

Channel and blue catfish: no minimum length, 25 combined daily, of which only 5 may be 20 in or longer and only 1 of those 30 in or longer. A small Abilene municipal lake (Taylor County)
Source: Texas special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Kirby

Channel catfish regulations →
No minimum length, 25 channel + blue combined daily, of which only 5 may be 20 in or longer and only 1 of those 30 in or longer — Abilene municipal lake (Taylor County)

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 Lake Kirby?: Lake Kirby carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Texas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Channel and blue catfish: no minimum length, 25 combined daily, of which only 5 may be 20 in or longer and only 1 of those 30 in or longer. A small Abilene municipal lake (Taylor County)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Kirby?: Yes. Lake Kirby 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 Lake Kirby; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Texas rules.
Do Lake Kirby's special rules replace Texas' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Texas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Kirby 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 Lake Kirby?: Channel catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Kirby, each linking to its full Texas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Texas limits.

← Back to Texas regulations overview