Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
For largemouth bass, length limit is a 14-21” slot. Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 21 inches or greater may be retained. For smallmouth bass (if present), minimum length limit = 14 inches. No minimum length limit on Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass (if present.) Daily bag limit for all black bass species is 5 in any combination.
Gear restriction: Use of juglines, throwlines, and trotlines is prohibited.
Identify your catch
The upper jaw extends behind the eye. A dark lateral band runs along the side.
Habitat on Bastrop
Creek channels, humps, dropoffs and aquatic plants provide structure in this cooling reservoir.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: TPWD describes spring bass fishing over vegetated flats and catfish in creek channels or the discharge canal; live bait is identified for flatheads.
Fishing guidance describes documented approaches, not a promise of fish activity today.
No active lake-specific advisory or possession ban was named in the reviewed DSHS directory. This does not guarantee that fish are safe to eat.
Harvest permission and eating restrictions are separate.
General species guide
Often uses vegetation, woody cover and relatively quiet water. Adults eat fish and other aquatic prey.
General Largemouth Bass profile →Sources & lake evidence
TPWD lake guide and reviewed fisheries evidence establish the listed species or group. Historical survey records do not establish current abundance.
Lake harvest rules ↗Eating guidance ↗Lake habitat & fishing guide ↗Species identification ↗