Texas
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Texas?

Anglers 17 and older need a Texas fishing license plus the saltwater endorsement to fish public salt water. Under 17 is exempt.

Q: How far out do Texas state waters go?

9 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line Texas Parks and Wildlife sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Texas has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for Texas?

Texas sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. TPWD: no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish except species listed in the Outdoor Annual; possession = 2x daily bag unless noted. Site edition shown is valid Sep 1, 2026 - Aug 31, 2027.

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these Texas rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Texas Parks and Wildlife sets the rules inside Texas’s state waters, out to 9 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Louisiana

84 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 26 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Texas lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Almaco Jack

Almaco Seriola rivoliana

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
24 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required when fishing for sharks in state waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Gulf sturgeon (subspecies) is state/federally listed; take of listed fish prohibited under Texas PWC Chapter 68.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Banded Rudderfish

Seriola zonata

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
14-22 in fork length slot

Bag
5-fish jacks aggregate (with lesser amberjack)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Drum

Drum Pogonias cromis

Size
slot 14–30 in total length

Bag
5

Season
Open year-round

Open

One black drum over 52 in may be retained per person per day and counts toward the daily bag.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

Size
24 in total length

Bag
4

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blackfin Snapper

Lutjanus buccanella

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
24 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required when fishing for sharks in state waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Size
131 in total length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies; not on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
24 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required when fishing for sharks in state waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
40 in total length

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Snook

Centropomus undecimalis

Size
slot 24–28 in total length

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Only bigeye thresher is on the TPWD prohibited list; common thresher falls under the other-sharks rule.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
12 in total length

Bag
Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gafftopsail Catfish

Bagre marinus

Size
14 in total length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gag Grouper

Gray grouper Mycteroperca microlepis

Size
24 in total length

Bag
2

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Goliath Grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only in Texas waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gray Triggerfish

Trigger Balistes capriscus

Size
16 in total length

Bag
20

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
99 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies; 99-in minimum for hammerheads.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Greater Amberjack

AJ, Reef donkey Seriola dumerili

Size
38 in total length

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

Venting tool or descending device required for fish showing barotrauma.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

Size
15 in total length

Bag
5

Season
Open year-round except closed Nov 1 – Dec 14

Open

Retention closed Nov 1 - Dec 14; flounder possession limit equals the daily bag (not doubled).
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Hogfish

Hog snapper Lachnolaimus maximus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
14 in fork length

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf stock is defined as waters north of 25 deg 09 min N off Florida's west coast.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
27 in total length

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Size
8 in total length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
14-22 in fork length slot

Bag
5-fish jacks aggregate (with banded rudderfish)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Mangrove Snapper

Gray snapper, Mango Lutjanus griseus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
12 in total length

Bag
Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Marbled Grouper

Sicklefish grouper Dermatolepis inermis

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
18 in total length

Bag
5 per person within 10-fish snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nassau Grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only in Texas waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not on the TPWD prohibited list, so the all-other-sharks rule applies; species essentially absent from Texas waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Queen Snapper

Etelis oculatus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
slot 20–28 in total length

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

One over 28 in per license year with Red Drum Tag, plus one with Bonus Red Drum Tag, in addition to daily bag.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
20 in total length

Bag
2 per person within 4-fish grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round except Feb 1 - Mar 31 shallow-water grouper closure seaward of the 20-fathom break

Open

Feb-Mar closure applies only beyond 20 fathoms.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Snapper

Genuine red, American red Lutjanus campechanus

Size
15 in total length

Bag
4

Season
Open year-round (Texas state waters)

Open

State waters open year-round at 4 fish/15 in; circle hooks required with natural bait (federal waters differ: 2 fish, 16 in, seasonal).
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Size
84 in total length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
99 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies; 99-in minimum for hammerheads.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scamp Grouper

Broomtail Mycteroperca phenax

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
16 in total length

Bag
Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round, except closed Feb 1 - Mar 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour (shallow-water grouper closure)

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sheepshead

Convict fish Archosargus probatocephalus

Size
15 in total length

Bag
5

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silk Snapper

Lutjanus vivanus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Smalltooth Sawfish

Pristis pectinata

Size
No harvest

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

State-listed and federally endangered; take prohibited in Texas waters (TPW Code sec. 68.015), listed via TPWD protected-species rules rather than the bag-limit table.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

64-in minimum under the all-other-sharks rule effectively bars harvest of this small species.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
99 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies; 99-in minimum for hammerheads.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Snowy Grouper

Hyporthodus niveatus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Southern Flounder

Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Size
15 in total length

Bag
5

Season
Open year-round except closed Nov 1 – Dec 14

Open

Retention closed Nov 1 - Dec 14; flounder possession limit equals the daily bag (not doubled).
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
14 in total length

Bag
15

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Speckled Hind

Hyporthodus drummondhayi

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per vessel per day within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Vessel limit, not per-person: no more than 1 speckled hind per vessel per day.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

64-in minimum under the all-other-sharks rule effectively bars harvest of this small species.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spotted Seatrout

Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

Size
slot 15–20 in total length

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

One spotted seatrout over 28 in per license year with Spotted Seatrout Tag, plus one with Bonus tag, in addition to daily bag.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
18 in total length

Bag
5 (striped bass and hybrids in any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus

Size
No size limit (over 12 in may not be taken or possessed on a boat Oct 1 – Jan 31)

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Mullet over 12 in may not be taken from public waters or possessed on board a boat during Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
47" LJFL min

Bag
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tarpon

Silver king Megalops atlanticus

Size
85 in total length

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

85-in minimum makes retention trophy-only in practice.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
64 in total length

Bag
1 (all sharks combined, any combination)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle hook rule applies.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis

Size
17 in total length

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Vermilion Snapper

Beeliner, B-liner Rhomboplites aurorubens

Size
10 in total length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Warsaw Grouper

Hyporthodus nigritus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per vessel per day within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Vessel limit, not per-person: no more than 1 warsaw grouper per vessel per day.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Size
86 in total length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Mullet

Mugil curema

Size
No size limit (over 12 in may not be taken or possessed on a boat Oct 1 – Jan 31)

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Mullet over 12 in may not be taken from public waters or possessed on board a boat during Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan.
TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowedge Grouper

Hyporthodus flavolimbatus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowfin Grouper

Fireback, Princess rockfish Mycteroperca venenosa

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
20 in total length

Bag
Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round, except closed Feb 1 - Mar 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour (shallow-water grouper closure)

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowmouth Grouper

Mycteroperca interstitialis

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round, except closed Feb 1 - Mar 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour (shallow-water grouper closure)

Open

No federal minimum size is listed for yellowmouth grouper in 50 CFR 622.37.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Texas lists none of its own.

Size
12 in total length

Bag
Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Every other species

TPWD: no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish except species listed in the Outdoor Annual; possession = 2x daily bag unless noted. Site edition shown is valid Sep 1, 2026 - Aug 31, 2027.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

TPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

Anglers 17 and older need a Texas fishing license plus the saltwater endorsement to fish public salt water. Under 17 is exempt.
Each saltwater endorsement includes one red drum tag — good for one red drum over 28 inches per license year — and one spotted seatrout tag. Exempt youth can get their own tags to keep an oversize fish.

Get a Texas license

Nearby waters: Louisiana · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Texas

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Texas?