Exceptions to Freshwater Harvest Regulations

Waters listed on this page are subject to special gear restrictions or special harvest limits on one or more species of fish. Waters with consumption advisories issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) are also listed here. Select a water body to see a summary of site-specific regulations.

On fresh waters not listed here, statewide limits apply.

Bait Fish Exceptions

In Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Ector, El Paso, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, Kinney, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Val Verde, Ward, and Winkler counties, the only fishes that may be used or possessed for bait while fishing are common carp, fathead minnows, gizzard and threadfin shad, golden shiners, goldfish, Mexican tetra, Rio Grande cichlid, silversides (Atherinidae family) and sunfish (Lepomis).