Waterbody · Texas
Lake Sam Rayburn Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Sam Rayburn fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 40 current rules from TPWD. Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie.
Rules (40)
TPWD regulates 40 rules across 6 species at this water.
Largemouth Bass
All Species
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 16"
Daily bag limit for all species of black bass is 5 bass in any combination only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Bellwood
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Bois D’arc Lake
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Kurth
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Mill Creek Lake
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Moss
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Nacogdoches
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Naconiche
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Purtis Creek Sp Lake*
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Raven
- Max size
- 16"
only bass 16 inches in length or less may be retained
Sabine River (From Toledo Bend Dam To Sabine Pass)
- Min size
- 12"
Southeast Texas (Includes Public Waters Bordering Adjacent Counties)
- Min size
- 12"
TimpsonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 21"
Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 21 inches or greater may be retained.
Walter E. LongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 21"
Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 21 inches or greater may be retained.
Welsh
- Min size
- 18"
Wheeler BranchOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 21"
Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 21 inches or greater may be retained.
Texas statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
Black Crappie
Sabine River (From Toledo Bend Dam To Sabine Pass)Open
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL and daily bag = 25 in any combination
Texoma
- Daily bag
- 37 fish/day
- Possession
- 50 fish
Toledo Bend*Open
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL and daily bag = 25 in any combination
Texas statewide
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
- Min size
- 10"
White Crappie
Sabine River (From Toledo Bend Dam To Sabine Pass)Open
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL and daily bag = 25 in any combination
Texoma
- Daily bag
- 37 fish/day
- Possession
- 50 fish
Toledo Bend*Open
- Status
- Permitted
no MLL and daily bag = 25 in any combination
Texas statewide
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
- Min size
- 10"
Blue Catfish
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
Channel Catfish
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
All Species
Sam Rayburn Reservoir In Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Sabine, And San Augustine CountiesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
comprises all impounded waters of the Angelina River from the Sam Rayburn Dam upstream to the Union Pacific railroad bridge
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn?
TPWD regulates fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn.
What species can I target on Lake Sam Rayburn?
Lake Sam Rayburn is best known for largemouth bass, crappie. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against TPWD on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .