2017-2018 Texas Commercial Fishing Guide
23
FISH
GENERAL REGULATIONS
It is UNLAWFUL to take, attempt to take,
possess, sell or purchase fish within a protected length limit, in greater numbers, by
other means, or at any time or place other
than as provided in this guide.
It is UNLAWFUL to transport by boat or
person any fish within a protected length
limit, or in excess of the daily bag limit or
possession limit established for those fish.
No person on board a licensed commercial
fishing boat (a commercial fishing boat,
commercial shrimp boat, menhaden boat,
commercial oyster boat) may possess any
fish species whose sale is prohibited.
• On board a commercial shrimp boat fish
legally taken incidental to a legal shrimp
operation may only be possessed by
a person with a shrimp boat captain’s
license or a person who is the owner
of a licensed commercial shrimp boat.
• To legally fish recreationally from a
licensed commercial fishing boat, the
commercial plates must be removed
from the boat. While no commercial
plates are on board, all recreational
fishing regulations apply including size,
bag and possession limits.
• While the commercial plates are on
board, all commercial regulations apply,
including size, bag and possession limits.
No person may possess a finfish of any
species, except broadbill swordfish or king
mackerel, taken from public water with the
head and tail removed until such person
finally lands the catch on the mainland, a
peninsula or barrier island, not including
jetties or piers. Sharks may have their head
removed prior to landing the catch on the
mainland, a peninsula or barrier island, not
including jetties or piers. However the tail
must remain attached to the carcass until
finally processed or until delivered to the
dealer.
Leaving fish to die. It is UNLAWFUL to leave
edible fish or bait fish taken from the public
waters of this state to die without the intent
to retain the fish for consumption or bait.
PROHIBITED ACTS IN
ALL PUBLIC WATERS
It is UNLAWFUL to fail to immediately
remove the intestines from grass carp,
tilapia, or any other harmful exotic species
when caught or possessed. (For a complete
listing contact TPWD at (800) 792-1112.)
It is UNLAWFUL for any person to use a
gaff except to aid in the landing of fish
caught by other legal devices, means, or
methods. Fish landed with a gaff may not be
below the minimum, above the maximum, or
within a protected length limit.
It is UNLAWFUL for any person to release
into the public waters of this state a fish
with a device or substance implanted or
attached that is designed, constructed or
adapted to produce an audible, visual or
electronic signal used to monitor, track, follow
or in any manner aid in the location of the
released fish.
It is UNLAWFUL to catch, possess, use,
transport, purchase or sell any game fish
or any part thereof as bait.
Billfish, except swordfish, may not be
landed or possessed by the captain or crew
of a commercial fishing vessel.
SALE OF FISH — FRESH WATER
It is UNLAWFUL to sell any fish taken from
the public fresh water of Texas except for
the following:
(1) Channel and blue catfish over 14
inches in length taken in the following:
• Angelina County
• Bowie County
• Camp County
• Cass County
• Chambers County
• Franklin County
• Freestone County
• Gregg County
• Hardin County
• Harris County
• Harrison County
• Jasper County
• Jefferson County
• Lamar County
• Leon County
• Liberty County
• Madison County
244
23
FISH
GENERAL REGULATIONS
It is UNLAWFUL to take, attempt to take,
possess, sell or purchase fish within a protected length limit, in greater numbers, by
other means, or at any time or place other
than as provided in this guide.
It is UNLAWFUL to transport by boat or
person any fish within a protected length
limit, or in excess of the daily bag limit or
possession limit established for those fish.
No person on board a licensed commercial
fishing boat (a commercial fishing boat,
commercial shrimp boat, menhaden boat,
commercial oyster boat) may possess any
fish species whose sale is prohibited.
• On board a commercial shrimp boat fish
legally taken incidental to a legal shrimp
operation may only be possessed by
a person with a shrimp boat captain’s
license or a person who is the owner
of a licensed commercial shrimp boat.
• To legally fish recreationally from a
licensed commercial fishing boat, the
commercial plates must be removed
from the boat. While no commercial
plates are on board, all recreational
fishing regulations apply including size,
bag and possession limits.
• While the commercial plates are on
board, all commercial regulations apply,
including size, bag and possession limits.
No person may possess a finfish of any
species, except broadbill swordfish or king
mackerel, taken from public water with the
head and tail removed until such person
finally lands the catch on the mainland, a
peninsula or barrier island, not including
jetties or piers. Sharks may have their head
removed prior to landing the catch on the
mainland, a peninsula or barrier island, not
including jetties or piers. However the tail
must remain attached to the carcass until
finally processed or until delivered to the
dealer.
Leaving fish to die. It is UNLAWFUL to leave
edible fish or bait fish taken from the public
waters of this state to die without the intent
to retain the fish for consumption or bait.
PROHIBITED ACTS IN
ALL PUBLIC WATERS
It is UNLAWFUL to fail to immediately
remove the intestines from grass carp,
tilapia, or any other harmful exotic species
when caught or possessed. (For a complete
listing contact TPWD at (800) 792-1112.)
It is UNLAWFUL for any person to use a
gaff except to aid in the landing of fish
caught by other legal devices, means, or
methods. Fish landed with a gaff may not be
below the minimum, above the maximum, or
within a protected length limit.
It is UNLAWFUL for any person to release
into the public waters of this state a fish
with a device or substance implanted or
attached that is designed, constructed or
adapted to produce an audible, visual or
electronic signal used to monitor, track, follow
or in any manner aid in the location of the
released fish.
It is UNLAWFUL to catch, possess, use,
transport, purchase or sell any game fish
or any part thereof as bait.
Billfish, except swordfish, may not be
landed or possessed by the captain or crew
of a commercial fishing vessel.
SALE OF FISH — FRESH WATER
It is UNLAWFUL to sell any fish taken from
the public fresh water of Texas except for
the following:
(1) Channel and blue catfish over 14
inches in length taken in the following:
• Angelina County
• Bowie County
• Camp County
• Cass County
• Chambers County
• Franklin County
• Freestone County
• Gregg County
• Hardin County
• Harris County
• Harrison County
• Jasper County
• Jefferson County
• Lamar County
• Leon County
• Liberty County
• Madison County
244