Texas regulations
Blue Catfish Regulations in Texas 2026
Texas Blue Catfish regulations as of 2026-05-07: Status Prohibited; Status Prohibited; Status Prohibited. Sourced from TPWD.
Rules (23)
Texas statewide
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
in any combination - only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length
Bellwood Lake In Smith CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Bellwood Lake in Smith County
Boerne City Lake In Kendall CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Boerne City Lake in Kendall County
Brushy Creek Lake And Brushy Creek Downstream From The Lake To The Williamson/Milam County LineClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Brushy Creek Lake and Brushy Creek downstream from the lake to the Williamson/Milam County line
Canyon Lake Project #6 In Lubbock CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Canyon Lake Project #6 in Lubbock County
Community Fishing LakesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Community Fishing Lakes
Dixieland Reservoir In Cameron CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Dixieland Reservoir in Cameron County
Fresh WaterOpen
- Status
- Permitted
May be used to take channel, blue, and flathead catfish in fresh water only.
Lake Bastrop In Bastrop CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Lake Bastrop in Bastrop County
Lake Bryan In Brazos CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Lake Bryan in Brazos County
Lakes Coffee Mill And Davy Crockett In Fannin CountyClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Lakes Coffee Mill and Davy Crockett in Fannin County
Reservoirs Or Sections Of Rivers Lying Totally Within The Boundaries Of State ParkClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: Reservoirs or sections of rivers lying totally within the boundaries of state park
Sabine River (From Toledo Bend Dam To Sabine Pass)Open
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL; daily bag and possession limit = 50 in any combination, of which no more than 5 may be 30 inches or greater in length
Sam RayburnOpen
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL; daily bag and possession limit = 50 in any combination, of which no more than 5 may be 30 inches or greater in length
Sheldon Harris
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
combined daily bag limit
South Concho River From Lone Wolf Dam To Bell Street DamClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Juglines may not be used in the following: South Concho River from Lone Wolf dam to Bell Street dam
TawakoniOpen
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL; daily bag limit = 25 fish in any combination. In the 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or greater in length.
TexomaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
no minimum length; combined daily bag limit = 15 fish. Only 1 blue catfish 30 inches or greater in length may be retained each day.
Toledo Bend*Open
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL; daily bag and possession limit = 50 in any combination, of which no more than 5 may be 30 inches or greater in length
Trinity River
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
only 2 fish can be 24 inches or greater in length
WacoOpen
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL; daily bag limit = 25 fish in any combination. In the 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or greater in length.
Frequently asked questions
When is Blue Catfish season in Texas?
Blue Catfish season in Texas is set by TPWD. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Blue Catfish in Texas?
Minimum size for Blue Catfish in Texas is 14 inches in Sheldon Harris, per TPWD. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Blue Catfish in Texas?
Daily bag limit for Blue Catfish in Texas is 15 fish/day in Sheldon Harris, per TPWD.
Official sources cited
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with TPWD before keeping a catch. Last verified .