Texas offers diverse aquatic environments, from inland rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to its extensive Gulf of Mexico coastline. This unique geography, encompassing arid western regions, central plains, and humid coastal areas, supports a wide array of freshwater and saltwater fish species.
Texas Freshwater Fish
Texas’s freshwater systems, including numerous rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, support a variety of fish species. The Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a widely recognized sport fish, typically 10-20 inches and 1-5 pounds. These bass prefer clear, vegetated waters in lakes and ponds, often found near submerged structures where they ambush prey. Their distinct dark lateral line and large mouth are identifying features.
Catfish species are also prevalent, with Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) being common. Channel Catfish can grow to 20-30 inches and weigh 5-10 pounds, inhabiting rivers and reservoirs with moderate currents, identifiable by scattered dark spots and a deeply forked tail. Blue Catfish often exceed these sizes, with some reaching over 100 pounds, preferring larger rivers and reservoirs, distinguished by their slate-blue coloration and unforked tail.
Crappie, including both White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), are popular panfish. They typically measure 6 to 12 inches, residing in clear, slow-moving waters with abundant cover. Black Crappie have irregular black blotches, while White Crappie exhibit distinct vertical bars. Various sunfish species, such as Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), are also common, usually 4 to 8 inches long, found in shallow, warm waters near vegetation. Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are stocked in certain Texas waters during cooler months. These trout typically range from 10 to 20 inches and are identifiable by a pink or reddish stripe along their sides.
Texas Saltwater Fish
The extensive Texas coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, including its bays and estuaries, harbors a diverse array of saltwater fish. Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), commonly known as Redfish, are a prized species, often 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with larger bull reds offshore. They inhabit shallow estuarine waters, seagrass beds, and surf zones, identifiable by a prominent black spot or spots on their tail base.
Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), or Speckled Trout, are another popular species, typically 15 to 25 inches long and weighing 2 to 6 pounds. These fish prefer grassy flats and shell reefs in bays and estuaries, characterized by numerous small black spots on their back and fins. Flounder species, particularly Southern Flounder, are demersal fish that typically reach 12 to 20 inches, residing on sandy or muddy bottoms in bays and nearshore Gulf waters. They camouflage well, with both eyes on one side of their flattened body.
Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) are significant offshore species. Red Snapper can grow to 20 to 30 inches and weigh 10 to 20 pounds, inhabiting rocky reefs and artificial structures in deeper Gulf waters. They are recognized by their red coloration and prominent canine teeth. Blacktip Sharks and Bull Sharks also frequent Texas coastal waters. Blacktip Sharks typically range from 5 to 6.5 feet, found in nearshore waters and bays, identified by black tips on their fins. Bull Sharks, exceeding 7 feet, tolerate freshwater and are found in bays and far up rivers.
Native and Ecologically Significant Species
Texas is home to several fish species unique to the state or of significant ecological importance. The Guadalupe Bass (Micropterus treculii), Texas’s official state fish, is found in clear, flowing Edwards Plateau rivers like the Guadalupe, San Marcos, and Colorado. Smaller than Largemouth Bass, it reaches 12-17 inches and is distinguished by diamond-shaped blotches rather than a solid lateral stripe. Its restricted native range makes it a conservation interest, representing a unique evolutionary lineage.
Other native fish include various darter and pupfish species. These smaller fish often adapt to localized habitats, like the Pecos Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) found only in the Pecos River basin’s saline waters. These species, not targeted by anglers, play important roles in their ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity and health. Their specific habitat requirements and limited distributions make them sensitive indicators of environmental health. Protecting these native fish populations is important for maintaining the ecological integrity of Texas’s diverse aquatic landscapes.