2026 regulation year
Sam Rayburn Reservoir 2026 — Texas Fishing Regulations
Texas statewide rules apply unless overridden below.
Last updated
Sam Rayburn Reservoir 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.
State-level special regulation
Standard 14 in / 5-fish; tournament release rule applies
Source: Texas special-water list
Per-species rules on Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Statewide 14 in / 5 fish; bass tournament organisers must follow live-release rule
Tournament circuit
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a recurring stop on the pro / semi-pro bass and walleye circuits. Schedules shift year to year — typical-window guidance below, with the official circuit schedule linked for current 2026 confirmation.
BASSBassmaster Elite Series
Largemouth bass · March – April
Long-running Elite Series rotation; Texas-side East Texas border water shared with Sabine River.
MLFMLF Toyota Series — Central Division
Largemouth bass · Late winter – spring
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.