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Texas regulations

Flathead Catfish Regulations in Texas 2026

Texas Flathead Catfish regulations as of 2026-05-08: Status Prohibited; Status Prohibited; Status Prohibited. Sourced from TPWD.

TPWDVerified Official source

About Flathead Catfish →

Rules (19)

Texas statewide
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Min size
18"
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
Lake Livingston
Daily bag
5 fish
For flathead catfish, no MLL; daily bag = 5.
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)
Daily bag
10 fish/day
Possession
10 fish
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
Toledo Bend*
Daily bag
10 fish/day
Possession
10 fish

Frequently asked questions

When is Flathead Catfish season in Texas?

Flathead 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 Flathead Catfish in Texas?

Minimum size for Flathead Catfish in Texas is 18 inches, per TPWD. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.

What is the daily bag limit for Flathead Catfish in Texas?

Daily bag limit for Flathead Catfish in Texas is 5 fish in Lake Livingston, per TPWD.

Official sources cited

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with TPWD before keeping a catch. Last verified .

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