Read the pdf file and tell me the laws about fishing

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Here’s the short, salty version of the Texas fishing laws from the TPWD 2025–2026 guide — clear, punchy, and legal-safe. ⚖️🐟

**Key legal principles**

- **Licenses & ID**: Anyone 17+ must carry a valid driver’s license or ID while fishing. Non-residents must carry equivalent ID from their home state/country. *Always have your fishing license on you.*

- **Unlawful takes**: It’s unlawful to take protected species (sea turtles, threatened/endangered fish, marine mammals), take fish during closed seasons or under protected length/bag limits, or use illegal devices/methods. Don’t foul-hook or snag game fish.

- **Possession & transport**: Fish in a stringer, livewell, bucket, or cooler = in your possession and subject to bag/length limits. Transporting exotic aquatic species or invasive species without a permit is illegal. Use the Wildlife Resource Document (WRD) when transferring tagged or limited resources.

- **Legal devices & restrictions**: *Pole-and-line (rod & reel)* is the lawful method for game fish unless an exception is listed. Many other devices are allowed with strict conditions (cast nets only for nongame/bait; crab traps limited to six recreational crab traps; trotlines/trotline tags required in saltwater; juglines, throwlines, trotlines have marking & tag rules). Freshwater anglers may not use more than 100 hooks total. Bowfishing, gigging, spearing are generally limited to nongame fish and subject to local rules.

- **Tagging & stockings**: You may tag and release fish but cannot release fish with implanted tracking devices that aid in locating them. Releasing fish into other public waters requires a TPWD permit.

- **Waste & retrieval**: Waste of fish (leaving edible fish to die) is an offense. You may not enter private property to retrieve game/dogs without permission.

- **Inspection & enforcement**: Game wardens may inspect licenses, gear, fish, and containers. Violations carry fines (Class C–A misdemeanors up to state jail felonies), possible jail, civil restitution, license suspensions, and gear forfeiture.

- **Reporting & conservation**: Report fish kills and stranded marine mammals as instructed in the guide; support Operation Game Thief to report poachers.

Practical tips & techniques

- Carry ID, your license, and any required gear tags; attach tags to crab traps/trotlines/juglines as specified. *Measure fish with a proper ruler* before removing head/tail to verify length limits. 
- Mid-fall: cooling water pushes fish deeper or into transition zones — downsize offerings, try slower retrieves, and focus structure and deeper flats. Check weather advisories: remove trotlines/tackle during small-craft advisories and follow weekend trotline removal rules in coastal waters. 🌬️🍂

Recommended gear link: [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax Swimbait](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — good for testing fall baitfish presentations.

Final note: this is a summary — always carry the TPWD guide or check tpwd.texas.gov for the exact, up-to-date regulations and local exceptions. Tight lines and stay legal! 🎣

🎣 Texas, United States

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