Striped bass Fishing in Texas
Limits, state records, TPWD lake ratings and stocking for striped bass.
- 53 lbstate record
- 16lakes rated
Photo: Steven G. Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Striped bass in Texas
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is a freshwater species in Texas. The Texas rod and reel record is 53 pounds from Brazos River, set in 1999. TPWD rates 16 Texas lakes for this fish; 3 of them as excellent.
When and where to find striped bass in Texas
When
Spawns in spring as water approaches 60F; needs about 50+ miles of flowing stream for a successful hatch
Where they hold
Not native to Texas; most reservoir populations maintained by stocking; Lake Texoma population is self-sustaining; Feeds mainly on gizzard and threadfin shad
Striped bass facts from the TPWD species profile.
Best Texas lakes for striped bass
Texas lakes rated for striped bass, best rating first, then by size.
Lake Texoma
Excellent for striped bass; 74,686 acres in Grayson County.
See detailsLake Buchanan
Excellent for striped bass; 22,211 acres in Burnet County County and Llano County.
See detailsCanyon Lake
Excellent for striped bass; 8,308 acres in Comal County.
See detailsAmistad Reservoir
Good for striped bass; 64,900 acres in Val Verde County.
See detailsLake Whitney
Good for striped bass; 23,500 acres in Hill County.
See detailsLake Kemp
Good for striped bass; 15,590 acres in Baylor County.
See detailsPossum Kingdom Reservoir
Good for striped bass; 15,588 acres in Palo Pinto County and Young County.
See detailsLake Granbury
Good for striped bass; 8,310 acres in Hood County.
See detailsLake Livingston
Fair for striped bass; 90,000 acres in Polk County and San Jacinto County.
See detailsLake Travis
Fair for striped bass; 18,622 acres in Travis County and Burnet County.
See detailsLake Graham
Fair for striped bass; 2,444 acres in Young County.
See detailsInks Lake
Fair for striped bass; 831 acres in Burnet County.
See detailsTexas limits for striped bass
| Rule | Daily bag | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped bass | 5 | 18 in | 5 combined with hybrid striped bass; Lake Texoma possession-limit exception | |
| Striped bass | 5 | 18 in | Combined with hybrids |
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.
Striped bass limits from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027).
Texas state records for striped bass
| Category | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fly fishing | 36.65 | 43 | Guadalupe River | 2006 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 53 | 48 | Brazos River | 1999 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 28 | 33.5 | Galveston Bay | 1991 |
Striped bass records: TPWD state records list, October 2026.
Where TPWD stocks striped bass
- Tawakoni1,778,810 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Kemp (Baylor County)1,666,046 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Whitney1,201,955 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Possum Kingdom1,091,411 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Granbury627,400 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Buchanan509,519 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Livingston502,394 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Canyon73,338 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
- Buffalo Springs3,830 fish stocked, 2024 to 2026
Striped bass stocking by water body, TPWD, 2024 to 2026.
Questions about striped bass in Texas
What is the Texas state record striped bass?
53 pounds, caught at Brazos River in 1999, rod and reel all tackle.
What is the daily bag limit for striped bass in Texas?
5 a day statewide with a 18 inch minimum.
Where is the best striped bass fishing in Texas?
TPWD rates Lake Texoma, Lake Buchanan and Canyon Lake excellent, among others.
When do striped bass spawn or bite best in Texas?
Spawns in spring as water approaches 60F; needs about 50+ miles of flowing stream for a successful hatch.
Where do striped bass hold?
Not native to Texas; most reservoir populations maintained by stocking; Lake Texoma population is self-sustaining.
Do any Texas lakes have special striped bass rules?
Yes: Alan Henry Reservoir, Lake Athens, Lake Bastrop, Caddo Lake and Lake Casa Blanca, among others.
Does TPWD stock striped bass?
Yes. The most stocked water from 2024 to 2026 was Tawakoni.
Do I need a license to fish for striped bass in Texas?
Yes. Anglers 17 and older targeting striped bass need a license with the freshwater endorsement.
What is the scientific name of striped bass?
Morone saxatilis.
Can I keep striped bass caught in a Texas state park?
Yes, under the same striped bass limits, and no license is needed inside the park.