What special fishing regulations apply at Mill Creek Lake?

Mill Creek Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Texas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Largemouth bass 16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; a bass 24 in or longer may be held briefly for a ShareLunker weigh-in, then released. An East Texas lake in Van Zandt County, managed for trophy bass." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Mill Creek Lake?

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

Do Mill Creek Lake's special rules replace Texas' statewide limits?

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

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

2026 regulation year

Mill Creek Lake 2026 — Texas Fishing Regulations

Texas statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Mill Creek 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 16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; a bass 24 in or longer may be held briefly for a ShareLunker weigh-in, then released. An East Texas lake in Van Zandt County, managed for trophy bass
Source: Texas special-water list

Per-species rules on Mill Creek Lake

Largemouth bass regulations →
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

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

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Mill Creek Lake?: Mill Creek Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Texas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Largemouth bass 16 in maximum — only bass 16 in or shorter may be kept; 5 black bass combined daily; a bass 24 in or longer may be held briefly for a ShareLunker weigh-in, then released. An East Texas lake in Van Zandt County, managed for trophy bass." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Mill Creek Lake?: Yes. Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Texas rules.
Do Mill Creek Lake's special rules replace Texas' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Texas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek Lake?: Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Mill Creek Lake, each linking to its full Texas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Texas limits.

← Back to Texas regulations overview