I get asked about bag limits and license stuff more than you'd think. Usually the night before somebody's trip, or worse, at the boat ramp. So here's everything in one place. Bookmark it. Screenshot it. Whatever you need to do so you're not googling "Texas bass limit" while a game warden walks up behind you.
Do You Need a Fishing License?
If you're 17 or older, yes. No exceptions, no grace period, no "I forgot it at home" pass.
Two groups fish free in Texas:
- Under 17 ... no license needed
- 65 and older ... no license needed
Everyone else, get one before you hit the water.
License Types and Costs
License Type: Resident annual (freshwater); Cost: $32
License Type: Non-resident annual; Cost: $58
License Type: Non-resident 3-day; Cost: $24-39
License Type: Non-resident 14-day; Cost: $35
License Type: One-day (resident or non-resident); Cost: $18
License Type: Under 17; Cost: Free
License Type: 65 and older; Cost: Free
Where to buy: Online at tpwd.texas.gov, Walmart, Academy, most sporting goods stores. Online takes five minutes. Do it the night before and save yourself the stop.
If you're coming from out of state for a weekend trip, the one-day at $18 or the 3-day option usually makes the most sense. If you fish Texas more than twice a year, just grab the annual.
Bag Limits and Size Limits
Lake Whitney follows standard Texas statewide regulations. Nothing lake-specific to worry about.
Species: Largemouth bass; Daily Bag Limit: 5; Minimum Length: 14"
Species: Striped bass; Daily Bag Limit: 10; Minimum Length: 18"
Species: White bass; Daily Bag Limit: 25; Minimum Length: 10"
Species: Catfish (channel/blue combined); Daily Bag Limit: 25; Minimum Length: No minimum
Species: Flathead catfish; Daily Bag Limit: 5; Minimum Length: 18"
Species: Crappie (white/black combined); Daily Bag Limit: 25; Minimum Length: 10"
Species: Bluegill/sunfish; Daily Bag Limit: No limit; Minimum Length: No minimum
A few things to know:
Bass at 14 inches. Measure from the tip of the mouth to the tip of the tail, pinched together. If it's close, let it go. A tape measure costs less than a fine.
Catfish species matter. Channel and blue catfish share a combined 25-per-day limit. Flatheads are separate at 5 per day with an 18-inch minimum. If you're not sure what you're looking at, ask. Or fish with a guide who knows.
Stripers at 18 inches. Ten per day is generous. Most trips we're catching and releasing the smaller ones anyway. The keepers are worth the wait.
Bluegill have no limit and no minimum. That's why they're perfect for kids. Nobody's counting sunfish.
Lake Aquilla Regulations
Same deal. Aquilla follows the same Texas statewide regulations. The table above applies to both lakes. No special rules, no slot limits, nothing extra to memorize. One license covers every public freshwater body in Texas, so you don't need a separate permit for each lake.
If you want the full rundown on fishing Aquilla, I wrote a complete guide to Lake Aquilla that covers everything from species to access points.
Common Questions
Can I keep bass on Lake Whitney? Yes. Five per day, 14-inch minimum. Catch-and-release is always welcome, but keeping legal fish is your right.
Do I need a separate license for each lake? No. Your Texas fishing license covers every public body of water in the state. Whitney, Aquilla, Texoma, all of them.
What happens if I don't have a license? Game wardens patrol these lakes. Fines start around $100 and go up from there. It's a $32 problem or a $500 problem. Your call.
How many catfish can I keep? 25 channel and blue combined per day, plus 5 flatheads. That's a lot of catfish. Most people don't hit the limit, but if you're on a night trip in July, it's possible.
Do kids need a license? Under 17, no. They fish free. One of the few things in Texas that's actually simple.
Where do I check for regulation changes? TPWD updates regulations annually. Check tpwd.texas.gov before your trip if you want to be thorough. The limits I've listed here are current statewide standards, but lake-specific rules can change if TPWD decides to manage a particular population differently.
On a Guided Trip
If you book with me, I handle all of this. I know the current regs, I carry a measuring board, and I keep count. The only thing you need to bring is your license. I can't buy that for you.
I clean and bag your fish at the end of every trip. Everything goes home legal, measured, and ready for the pan.
Got your license? Book a trip.
