Seatrout Bag & Length Limits
Valid Sep. 1, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023.
Spotted
North of FM 457
- Daily Bag:
- 5
- Min Length:
- 15 inches
- Max Length:
- 25 inches
- Possession Limit:
- Double the daily bag limit
- Clarification:
- No more than one spotted seatrout over the stated maximum length may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. Possession = double the daily bag limit.
South of FM 457
From March 16, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023 in Matagorda, San Antonio, Aransas, Corpus Christi and Laguna Madre Bay Systems (all beaches and bay fronts for the waters continuously south of FM 457) the following limits apply:
- Daily Bag:
- 3
- Min Length:
- 17 inches
- Max Length:
- 23 inches
- Possession Limit:
- The daily bag limit
- Clarification:
- No spotted seatrout over the 23 inches may be retained.
See more information about these limits for bay systems south of FM 457.
Limits and Restrictions
- The possession limit is equal to double the bag limit unless otherwise noted.
- Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species.
- There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish, except as listed in this guide. See definitions of daily bag and possession limits.
State & Federal Waters
- For freshwater finfish species caught in the public salt waters of this state, statewide freshwater limits apply.
- Recreational anglers must possess a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to land fish in state or federal water.
- The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to 9 nautical mile in the Gulf of Mexico, and to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and possessed in state waters or landed in this state.
- Federal law also regulates species between 9 and 200 nautical miles managed under a Federal Fishery Management Plan. See Transfer & Importation of Wildlife.
- It is unlawful to possess aquatic life in Texas waters that was illegally taken in Federal waters.
Offshore Reefs
Fishing on state-sponsored offshore artificial reefs is subject to the same regulations as other offshore locations.