24 Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual 2017-2018 REGULATIONS SUMMARY
SUMMARY OF 2017-2018 RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS
General Fishing Rules for Fresh and Salt Waters
For purposes of this guide, salt waters and coastal waters mean the same thing.
It is a violation to:
• Take, kill, or disturb sea turtles. If you land a sea turtle, immediately call (866) 887-8535 for information on how
to handle the turtle.
• Take, kill, or disturb any endangered or threatened species (paddlefi sh, shovel-nosed sturgeon, smalltooth
sawfi sh, and others);
• Take or kill diamondback terrapin, sawfi sh of any species, porpoises, dolphins (mammals), or whales;
• Place any game fi sh into public waters, other than the body of water where the fi sh was caught, without a valid
permit issued by TPWD. This includes fi sh caught by pole and line. For permit information, please call TPWD at
(800) 792-1112 (menu 4) or (512) 389-4742.
• Use any vessel to harry, herd or drive fi sh including, but not limited to, operating any vessel in a repeated circular
course, for the purpose of or resulting in the concentration of fi sh for the purpose of taking or attempting to
take fi sh.
• Uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom in this state by means of a
propeller. Additional information regarding seagrass regulations: www.tpwd.texas.gov/seagrass
Rules on Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species
It is a violation to:
• possess or transport any exotic aquatic plant or animal listed as harmful or potentially harmful. This includes:
plants such as hydrilla, water hyacinth, and giant salvinia; fi shes such as tilapia and Asian carps (grass, silver, and
bighead carp); and zebra mussels.
• possess any tilapia, grass carp, or any other fi sh listed as harmful or potentially harmful without immediately
removing the intestines, except on those waters where a valid Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect. In those
waters, it is illegal to possess grass carp, and any grass carp caught must be immediately returned to the water
unharmed. For a list of waters with a Triploid Grass Carp Permit, see www.tpwd.texas.gov/gcpermits.
• fail to immediately remove and lawfully dispose of any harmful or potentially harmful aquatic plant that is clinging
or attached to a vessel, watercraft, trailer, motor vehicle, or other device used to transport or launch a vessel or
watercraft. Violators are subject to a fi ne of $25-$500.
Rules Requiring Draining of Water from Vessels Used on Public Fresh Waters
Persons leaving or approaching public fresh water are required to drain all water from their vessels and on-board
receptacles (includes live wells, bilges, motors and any other receptacles or water-intake systems coming into contact with
public waters). This rule applies at all sites where boats can be launched and includes all types and sizes of boats whether
powered or not, personal watercraft, sailboats, kayaks/canoes, or any other vessel used to travel on public waters.
• Live fi sh, including personally caught live bait, cannot be transported from the water body where the fi sh were
caught in or aboard a vessel in water from the water body where the fi sh were caught. Personally caught live
bait can be used in the water body where it was caught.
• Transport and use of commercially purchased live bait in water while fi shing from a vessel is allowed, provided
persons in possession of the bait have a receipt that identifi es the source of the bait. Any live bait purchased
from a location on or adjacent to a public water body that is transported in water from that water body can only
be used as bait on that same water body.
• A vessel leaving a public freshwater body may be transported on a public roadway without water being drained,
provided the vessel is transported via the most direct route to another access point located on the same water
body during that same day.
• Persons participating in a fi shing tournament confi ned to one water body are allowed to transport live fi sh
in water from that single water body to an identifi ed off-site weigh-in location, provided all water is drained
and properly disposed of before leaving that location. Participants must possess documentation provided by
tournament organizers that identify them as participants in a tournament.
• Marine sanitary systems are not covered by these regulations.
Following these procedures does not exempt persons from complying with prohibitions against transporting exotic aquatic
species that are visible to the unaided eye, such as adult zebra mussels, which may be attached to boats or trailers.
FISHING REGULATIONS
AN ETHICAL
ANGLER…
Takes only what they can use, and uses what they take.
Always recycles or properly disposes of monofi lament line to protect the
environment and aquatic or wildlife resources.
Leaves no litter and doesn’t pollute our waters.
Records their trophy with care, and returns it to the water.
282
SUMMARY OF 2017-2018 RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS
General Fishing Rules for Fresh and Salt Waters
For purposes of this guide, salt waters and coastal waters mean the same thing.
It is a violation to:
• Take, kill, or disturb sea turtles. If you land a sea turtle, immediately call (866) 887-8535 for information on how
to handle the turtle.
• Take, kill, or disturb any endangered or threatened species (paddlefi sh, shovel-nosed sturgeon, smalltooth
sawfi sh, and others);
• Take or kill diamondback terrapin, sawfi sh of any species, porpoises, dolphins (mammals), or whales;
• Place any game fi sh into public waters, other than the body of water where the fi sh was caught, without a valid
permit issued by TPWD. This includes fi sh caught by pole and line. For permit information, please call TPWD at
(800) 792-1112 (menu 4) or (512) 389-4742.
• Use any vessel to harry, herd or drive fi sh including, but not limited to, operating any vessel in a repeated circular
course, for the purpose of or resulting in the concentration of fi sh for the purpose of taking or attempting to
take fi sh.
• Uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom in this state by means of a
propeller. Additional information regarding seagrass regulations: www.tpwd.texas.gov/seagrass
Rules on Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species
It is a violation to:
• possess or transport any exotic aquatic plant or animal listed as harmful or potentially harmful. This includes:
plants such as hydrilla, water hyacinth, and giant salvinia; fi shes such as tilapia and Asian carps (grass, silver, and
bighead carp); and zebra mussels.
• possess any tilapia, grass carp, or any other fi sh listed as harmful or potentially harmful without immediately
removing the intestines, except on those waters where a valid Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect. In those
waters, it is illegal to possess grass carp, and any grass carp caught must be immediately returned to the water
unharmed. For a list of waters with a Triploid Grass Carp Permit, see www.tpwd.texas.gov/gcpermits.
• fail to immediately remove and lawfully dispose of any harmful or potentially harmful aquatic plant that is clinging
or attached to a vessel, watercraft, trailer, motor vehicle, or other device used to transport or launch a vessel or
watercraft. Violators are subject to a fi ne of $25-$500.
Rules Requiring Draining of Water from Vessels Used on Public Fresh Waters
Persons leaving or approaching public fresh water are required to drain all water from their vessels and on-board
receptacles (includes live wells, bilges, motors and any other receptacles or water-intake systems coming into contact with
public waters). This rule applies at all sites where boats can be launched and includes all types and sizes of boats whether
powered or not, personal watercraft, sailboats, kayaks/canoes, or any other vessel used to travel on public waters.
• Live fi sh, including personally caught live bait, cannot be transported from the water body where the fi sh were
caught in or aboard a vessel in water from the water body where the fi sh were caught. Personally caught live
bait can be used in the water body where it was caught.
• Transport and use of commercially purchased live bait in water while fi shing from a vessel is allowed, provided
persons in possession of the bait have a receipt that identifi es the source of the bait. Any live bait purchased
from a location on or adjacent to a public water body that is transported in water from that water body can only
be used as bait on that same water body.
• A vessel leaving a public freshwater body may be transported on a public roadway without water being drained,
provided the vessel is transported via the most direct route to another access point located on the same water
body during that same day.
• Persons participating in a fi shing tournament confi ned to one water body are allowed to transport live fi sh
in water from that single water body to an identifi ed off-site weigh-in location, provided all water is drained
and properly disposed of before leaving that location. Participants must possess documentation provided by
tournament organizers that identify them as participants in a tournament.
• Marine sanitary systems are not covered by these regulations.
Following these procedures does not exempt persons from complying with prohibitions against transporting exotic aquatic
species that are visible to the unaided eye, such as adult zebra mussels, which may be attached to boats or trailers.
FISHING REGULATIONS
AN ETHICAL
ANGLER…
Takes only what they can use, and uses what they take.
Always recycles or properly disposes of monofi lament line to protect the
environment and aquatic or wildlife resources.
Leaves no litter and doesn’t pollute our waters.
Records their trophy with care, and returns it to the water.
282