Texas state waters, out to 9 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Atlantic guitarfishNo saw — just the flattened body. Tell them apartNot listed by Texas: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
A ray wearing a chainsaw — flattened shark-like body led by a long, toothed saw. More on the smalltooth sawfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Smalltooth sawfish in other states6 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep smalltooth sawfish in Texas?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Texas. Release it in the water where you can. 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.
How current is this Texas smalltooth sawfish rule?
Source: TPWD 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a smalltooth sawfish in Texas and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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