Unlock the Great Outdoors
Why limit yourself to public land when there are millions of acres of private land to explore.
Freshwater Fishing in Texas
Texas Fishing at a Glance
If you’re looking to reel in a big one, Texas is the perfect place with over 200,000 miles of rivers and streams to choose from. Fishing for largemouth bass, redfish, flounder, catfish, and crappie is especially successful here, and the fishing season lasts all year. To ensure a fruitful trip, though, it’s best to research which place, season and time of day offers the best conditions.
Texas has a variety of freshwater fishing regulations in place to help conserve the state’s natural resources. All anglers must have a valid fishing license, and there are size and creel limits in place for certain fish species. It’s important to be familiar with these regulations before heading out on your fishing trip.
Depending on what kind of fish you’re looking to catch, you’ll want to research the best places to go. Here are some of the most popular spots for freshwater fishing in Texas:
The Guadalupe River is a great spot for fishing in Texas. This river is home to a number of different fish, including bass, catfish, and trout. The Guadalupe River is also one of the most popular spots for kayaking and canoeing in Texas.
Lake Livingston is another popular spot for freshwater fishing in Texas. This lake is home to a number of different fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Lake Livingston is also a popular spot for swimming and boating.
The Brazos River is another great spot for freshwater fishing in Texas. This river is home to a number of different fish, including bass, catfish, and trout. The Brazos River is also a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing.
Texas ranks #38 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 6.3% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Fishing in Texas is regulated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
- Most land in Texas is private, with only 1.92% considered public land according to the Texas Real Estate Center.
- Catfish, bass, crappie, sunfish, and walleye are the most popular freshwater fish to catch in Texas.
- Public fishing spots in Texas include Lady Bird Lake, Caddo Lake, and Falcon Lake.
- Texas has multiple resources available to help with planning a fishing trip, including the Texas DNR website and local fishing guides and charters.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 29,145,505 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 1,837,340 |
| Fishing License % | 6.30% |
| Hunters Rank | 38 |
The state of Texas is mostly private land with just 1.92% of acres considered public land -ranking #47 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 167,625,000 | ||
| Public | 3,216,400 | 1.92% | 47 |
| Private | 164,404,000 | 98.08% | 4 |
| Tribal | 4,600 | 0.00% | 29 |
Texas Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Texas DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Texas DNR
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
- (800) 792-1112
Helpful Links
What are the most popular freshwater fish to catch Texas?
The state is home to over 200 different species of fish. The most popular in Texas’ ponds and lakes are catfish, bass, crappie, sunfish, and walleye. Each of these fish offers its own unique challenges and rewards. For those looking for a real fight, catfish are a good choice. These bottom-dwellers can grow up to 100 pounds and put up quite a fight when hooked. Bass are another popular choice, as they can be found in both fresh and salt water environments. Crappie are a favorite among those looking for a tasty meal, as these panfish are known for their delicate flavor. Sunfish are perfect for beginners, as they are small and relatively easy to catch. Finally, walleye are prized by anglers for their fighting spirit and willingness to take bait.
Unlock the profits in your land
The hassle free way to monetize your acreage.
Unlock the Great Outdoors
We’re working with landowners all across Texas to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Popular Public Fishing Spots in Texas
Some of the best places to fish in Texas include the Guadalupe River, the San Marcos River, the Brazos River, and the Red River. Each of these rivers has something to offer fishing enthusiasts, whether it’s plentiful catfish or largemouth bass. In addition, Texas is home to several lakes that are perfect for fishing, including Falcon Lake, Possum Kingdom Lake, and Lake Livingston.
1. Lake Fork
2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir
3. Toledo Bend Reservoir
4. Falcon Lake
5. Caddo Lake
Fishing private land in Texas
Fishing on private land in Texas has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Texas or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.