Channel catfish Fishing in Texas
Limits, state records, TPWD lake ratings and stocking for channel catfish.
- 36.5 lbstate record
- 168lakes rated
Photo: Hardyplants, CC0 1.0
Channel catfish in Texas
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is a freshwater species in Texas. The Texas rod and reel record is 36.5 pounds from Pedernales River, set in 1965. TPWD rates 168 Texas lakes for this fish; 43 of them as excellent.
When and where to find channel catfish in Texas
When
Spawns late spring or early summer at about 75F
Where they hold
Most abundant in large streams with low to moderate current; Found statewide
Channel catfish facts from the TPWD species profile.
Best Texas lakes for channel catfish
Texas lakes rated for channel catfish, best rating first, then by size.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Excellent for channel catfish; 114,500 acres in Jasper County.
See detailsLake Livingston
Excellent for channel catfish; 90,000 acres in Polk County and San Jacinto County.
See detailsFalcon International Reservoir
Excellent for channel catfish; 83,654 acres in Zapata County and Starr County.
See detailsRichland Chambers Reservoir
Excellent for channel catfish; 41,356 acres in Freestone County.
See detailsLake Tawakoni
Excellent for channel catfish; 37,879 acres in Van Zandt County and Rains County.
See detailsCedar Creek Reservoir
Excellent for channel catfish; 32,623 acres in Henderson County.
See detailsLewisville Lake
Excellent for channel catfish; 29,592 acres in Denton County.
See detailsLake Fork
Excellent for channel catfish; 27,264 acres in Hopkins County and Rains County.
See detailsChoke Canyon Reservoir
Excellent for channel catfish; 25,670 acres in Live Oak County and McMullen County.
See detailsLake Palestine
Excellent for channel catfish; 25,560 acres in Cherokee County.
See detailsLake Buchanan
Excellent for channel catfish; 22,211 acres in Burnet County County and Llano County.
See detailsLake Ray Hubbard
Excellent for channel catfish; 21,671 acres in Collin County and Dallas County.
See detailsTexas limits for channel catfish
| Rule | Daily bag | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 25 | 25 combined channel/blue and hybrids; only 10 may be 20 in. or longer |
Lakes with their own rules for this fish: Lake Abilene, Belton Lake, Lake Bob Sandlin, Caddo Lake, Calaveras Lake, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Lake Conroe, Fayette County Reservoir, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Kirby Lake, Lake Lavon, Lewisville Lake, Lake Livingston, Lake Palestine and Proctor Lake.
Channel catfish limits from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027).
Texas state records for channel catfish
| Category | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bow fishing | 15.96 | 30 | Canyon | 2008 |
| fly fishing | 16.12 | 30.5 | Travis | 2004 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 36.5 | 38 | Pedernales River | 1965 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 7.44 | 23.9 | Sabine Lake | 2018 |
Channel catfish records: TPWD state records list, October 2026.
Where TPWD stocks channel catfish
- Calaveras331,629 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Lake Corpus Christi250,966 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Aquilla240,302 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Stamford (Haskell County)198,567 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Victor Braunig135,878 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Fayette County131,279 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Cisco106,610 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Colorado City102,600 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- White River Reservoir63,487 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Wichita60,826 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Wheeler Branch Reservoir56,932 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Fort Parker State Park52,038 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Clyde48,233 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Dunlap41,205 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Southside Lions Park40,657 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- John Ward Memorial Park South Lake (AKA Medical Center South)38,000 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Miller's Pond32,578 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Sheldon30,317 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
Channel catfish stocking by water body, TPWD, 2024 to 2026.
Questions about channel catfish in Texas
What is the Texas state record channel catfish?
36.5 pounds, caught at Pedernales River in 1965, rod and reel all tackle.
What is the daily bag limit for channel catfish in Texas?
25 a day statewide.
Where is the best channel catfish fishing in Texas?
TPWD rates Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lake Livingston, Falcon International Reservoir and Richland Chambers Reservoir excellent, among others.
When do channel catfish spawn or bite best in Texas?
Spawns late spring or early summer at about 75F.
Where do channel catfish hold?
Most abundant in large streams with low to moderate current; Found statewide.
Do any Texas lakes have special channel catfish rules?
Yes: Lake Abilene, Belton Lake, Lake Bob Sandlin, Caddo Lake and Calaveras Lake, among others.
Does TPWD stock channel catfish?
Yes. The most stocked water from 2024 to 2026 was Calaveras.
Do I need a license to fish for channel catfish in Texas?
Yes. Anglers 17 and older targeting channel catfish need a license with the freshwater endorsement.
What is the scientific name of channel catfish?
Ictalurus punctatus.
Can I keep channel catfish caught in a Texas state park?
Yes, under the same channel catfish limits, and no license is needed inside the park.
Other Texas species
More Texas fish like channel catfish: limits, records and best water.