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Texas regulations

Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout) Regulations in Texas 2026

Texas speckled trout regulations in 2026: 15″ min size, 3 fish/day bag limit, 6 fish possession. Zone-specific exceptions may apply — see the rule table below. Sourced from TPWD.

TPWDOfficial source

About Speckled Trout →

Rules (6)

Texas statewideCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Daily bag
3 fish/day
Possession
6 fish
Min size
15"
Red drum, spotted seatrout, and sharks caught on a trotline may not be retained or possessed.
Verified · View official source ↗
Coastal Water Areas (All The Salt Waters Of The State)
Max size
20"
During a license year, one spotted seatrout over 28” may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag and one spotted seatrout over 28” may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Spotted Seatrout Tag or a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section.
Verified · View official source ↗
Salt WaterOpen
Status
Permitted
Nongame fish, red drum, spotted seatrout, and sharks may be taken with a sail line.
Verified · View official source ↗

Other Texas fish regulations

Other regulated species in Texas with current rule pages — same TPWD source, same verification cadence.

Also known as

Speckled Trout is also called Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout), Spotted Seatrout, Spotted Sea Trout, spotted seatrout, specks. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Texas.

Frequently asked questions

When is Speckled Trout season in Texas?

Speckled Trout 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 Speckled Trout in Texas?

Minimum size for Speckled Trout in Texas is 15 inches, per TPWD. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.

What is the daily bag limit for Speckled Trout in Texas?

Daily bag limit for Speckled Trout in Texas is 3 fish/day, per TPWD.

Official sources cited

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

← All Texas fishing regulations