Texas fishing rule cleanup keeps flounder closure, adds ShareLunker live-well exception; comments due Nov. 4

Texas anglers have until 5 p.m. Nov. 4 to comment on a broad fisheries rules package from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The proposals, published in the Oct. 2 Texas Register, come out of a review with the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office aimed at removing outdated or redundant rules. TPWD staff recommend the commission adopt them at its Nov. 5 meeting.

The marked-up flounder rules look dramatic but are housekeeping, FishGame reports. TPWD would delete old November and December flounder language that has not applied since 2021. The annual Nov. 1–Dec. 14 flounder closure stays in place.

The most practical change is for trophy bass anglers. Texas normally requires boaters to drain all water when leaving public freshwater. The proposal would let a ShareLunker participant carry a live bass in a live well of water from the lake where it was caught, by the most direct route, to a TPWD-approved weigh station. All other water must be drained, the angler needs a TPWD transport authorization (available through the ShareLunker app), and the live-well water must be disposed of at the station.

Other items clarify existing rules rather than change them. Guided-party bag limits are explained without erasing each angler's personal limit. Oversized red drum tagging rules are reorganized, with digital-license holders reporting through the app instead of tagging. The red snapper circle-hook rule for natural bait is restated.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: FishGame — Flounder, Redfish Tags & More: TPWD Proposes Fishing Rule Changes (Oct. 5, 2026); proposed rules in the Texas Register, Oct. 2, 2026.