Texas Lake Report

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Texas fish species guides

Practical guides to the fish Texas anglers target most: how to identify them, where to find them on the lakes and bays we cover, what they do month by month, proven baits, statewide limits and the gear that fits. Facts are checked against Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD).

Freshwater

Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass are the most popular freshwater fish in Texas, and almost every reservoir we cover has them. This guide covers how to tell them apart from other bass, where and when to look in Texas lakes, what to throw, the statewide rules and the gear that fits.

Crappie

Crappie (white and black) are the most popular panfish in Texas, and they're good eating. Find the brush, timber, docks or bridge pilings they're holding on and you can often catch several.

Catfish (blue, channel & flathead)

Catfish are the second most popular group of fish among licensed Texas anglers, according to TPWD, and they're in almost every lake we cover. This guide covers Texas's three big catfish: channel, blue and flathead, how to tell them apart, where they live, what they eat and the statewide rules.

White bass

White bass, or 'sand bass', school up, bite artificial lures readily and are good eating. They're best known for their spring run up rivers and creeks, but you can catch them all year once you find the schools.

Striped bass

Striped bass are the biggest of the 'true' bass and among the hardest-pulling fish in Texas lakes. TPWD ranks them the fourth most preferred species among licensed Texas anglers. Lake Texoma is the best-known striper lake in Texas, and TPWD stocks stripers in a number of other reservoirs.

Saltwater (Texas bays)

Red drum (redfish)

Redfish are the backbone of Texas inshore fishing. They're in every bay system on the coast, they'll eat almost anything, and you can catch them from a boat, wading the flats, from the jetties or in the surf.

Spotted seatrout (speckled trout)

Speckled trout are the other half of the Texas inshore slam. They're aggressive, good to eat, and found in every Texas bay system, from the grass flats to the deep reefs.

Southern flounder

Southern flounder are some of the best-eating fish on the Texas coast, and you can catch them with rod and reel or gig them at night in the shallows. Texas has a fall closure for flounder (Nov. 1–Dec. 14), so check the dates before you go.

Black drum

Black drum are the most approachable fish on the Texas coast: TPWD says they live in more kinds of habitat than any other important Texas food fish, and anyone can catch one with a piece of shrimp on the bottom. Small ones are good eating, and the late-winter bull drum run brings 30–40 pound fish.

Before you keep fish, read our License & regulations guide. TPWD is the authority on limits.