Largemouth bass Fishing in Texas
Limits, state records, TPWD lake ratings and stocking for largemouth bass.
- 18.18 lbstate record
- 172lakes rated
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Largemouth bass in Texas
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a freshwater species in Texas. TPWD calls it by far the most sought-after fish in Texas. The Texas rod and reel record is 18.18 pounds from Lake Fork, set in 1992. TPWD rates 172 Texas lakes for this fish; 42 of them as excellent.
When and where to find largemouth bass in Texas
When
Spawning begins when water reaches about 60F, as early as February or as late as May depending on region
Where they hold
Seeks cover: logs, rock ledges, vegetation, man-made structure; Prefers clear quiet water; nests in 2-8 ft of water; Native and Florida subspecies both present in Texas
Largemouth bass facts from the TPWD species profile.
Best Texas lakes for largemouth bass
Texas lakes rated for largemouth bass, best rating first, then by size.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
Excellent for largemouth bass; 181,600 acres in Shelby County and Sabine County.
See detailsSam Rayburn Reservoir
Excellent for largemouth bass; 114,500 acres in Jasper County.
See detailsFalcon International Reservoir
Excellent for largemouth bass; 83,654 acres in Zapata County and Starr County.
See detailsAmistad Reservoir
Excellent for largemouth bass; 64,900 acres in Val Verde County.
See detailsLake Fork
Excellent for largemouth bass; 27,264 acres in Hopkins County and Rains County.
See detailsCaddo Lake
Excellent for largemouth bass; 26,800 acres in Harrison County and Marion County.
See detailsChoke Canyon Reservoir
Excellent for largemouth bass; 25,670 acres in Live Oak County and McMullen County.
See detailsRay Roberts Lake
Excellent for largemouth bass; 25,600 acres in Denton County and Cooke County.
See detailsLake Conroe
Excellent for largemouth bass; 20,118 acres in Montgomery County and Walker County.
See detailsBois d'Arc Lake
Excellent for largemouth bass; 16,641 acres in Fannin County.
See detailsLake Somerville
Excellent for largemouth bass; 11,456 acres in Washington County.
See detailsLake Waco
Excellent for largemouth bass; 8,465 acres in McLennan County.
See detailsTexas limits for largemouth bass
| Rule | Daily bag | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 | 14 in | 5 combined for largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, spotted bass |
Lakes with their own rules for this fish: Alan Henry Reservoir, Lake Athens, Lake Bastrop, Caddo Lake, Lake Casa Blanca, Lake Conroe, Davy Crockett Lake, Fayette County Reservoir, Lake Fork, Lake Gilmer, Grapevine Lake, Houston County Lake, Lake Jacksonville, Joe Pool Lake and Kurth Reservoir.
Largemouth bass limits from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027).
Texas state records for largemouth bass
| Category | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fly fishing | 14.14 | 26.13 | Spring Canyon Lake (AKA Meredith Stilling Basin) | 2000 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 18.18 | 25.5 | Lake Fork | 1992 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 6.81 | 21.15 | Sabine River | 2018 |
Largemouth bass records: TPWD state records list, October 2026.
Where TPWD stocks largemouth bass
- Kickapoo627,237 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Arrowhead306,524 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Mexia249,965 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Toledo Bend227,332 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- O. H. Ivie217,905 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- J. B. Thomas107,979 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Marlin City88,678 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Lake Fork60,224 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Tawakoni59,859 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Meredith48,162 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Fort Phantom Hill40,744 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Old Marlin City38,134 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Sam Rayburn34,651 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Lake Tyler33,055 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Alan Henry29,261 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Eastland24,800 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Naconiche21,368 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Inks20,606 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
Largemouth bass stocking by water body, TPWD, 2024 to 2026.
Questions about largemouth bass in Texas
What is the Texas state record largemouth bass?
18.18 pounds, caught at Lake Fork in 1992, rod and reel all tackle.
What is the daily bag limit for largemouth bass in Texas?
5 a day statewide with a 14 inch minimum.
Where is the best largemouth bass fishing in Texas?
TPWD rates Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Falcon International Reservoir and Amistad Reservoir excellent, among others.
When do largemouth bass spawn or bite best in Texas?
Spawning begins when water reaches about 60F, as early as February or as late as May depending on region.
Where do largemouth bass hold?
Seeks cover: logs, rock ledges, vegetation, man-made structure; Prefers clear quiet water; nests in 2-8 ft of water.
Do any Texas lakes have special largemouth bass rules?
Yes: Alan Henry Reservoir, Lake Athens, Lake Bastrop, Caddo Lake and Lake Casa Blanca, among others.
Does TPWD stock largemouth bass?
Yes. The most stocked water from 2024 to 2026 was Kickapoo.
Do I need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Texas?
Yes. Anglers 17 and older targeting largemouth bass need a license with the freshwater endorsement.
What is the scientific name of largemouth bass?
Micropterus salmoides.
Can I keep largemouth bass caught in a Texas state park?
Yes, under the same largemouth bass limits, and no license is needed inside the park.
Other Texas species
More Texas fish like largemouth bass: limits, records and best water.