Catfish
For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag limit = 25 in any combination, of which only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag limit = 5.
Official lake regulations ↗
Habitat on Kemp
Rocky points and flooded terrestrial vegetation provide cover.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: TPWD suggests Texas-rigged plastics in brush for bass, crankbaits or topwaters near rocky points, live bait or hair jigs in deeper water for stripers, and docks or rocks for crappie.
Lake fishing guide ↗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.
Official consumption guidance ↗Species within this group
Channel Catfish
Harvest: For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag limit = 25 in any combination, of which only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag limit = 5.
Eating guidance: 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.
Forked tail; younger fish commonly show dark body spots. The anal-fin edge is more rounded than in blue catfish.
Blue Catfish
Harvest: For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag limit = 25 in any combination, of which only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag limit = 5.
Eating guidance: 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.
Forked tail and a relatively straight-edged anal fin. Count anal-fin rays using an identification reference.
Flathead Catfish
Harvest: For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag limit = 25 in any combination, of which only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag limit = 5.
Eating guidance: 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.
Broad flattened head, projecting lower jaw and a tail that is not deeply forked.
Individual lake profiles
Choose the species for its own identification, harvest rules and eating guidance on this lake.
Source & occurrence note
TPWD lake guide and reviewed fisheries evidence establish the listed species or group. Historical survey records do not establish current abundance.


