Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
For largemouth bass, only those 16 inches in length or less may be retained. Bass 24 inches or greater in length may be temporarily retained in a live well or other aerated holding device and immediately weighed using personal scales. Bass weighing 13 pounds or more may be donated to the ShareLunker Program; otherwise, the fish must be immediately released in the lake where caught. Anglers wishing to donate their bass must immediately cease fishing and contact TPWD at (903) 681-0550. Anglers may not remove the bass from the immediate vicinity of the reservoir unless instructed to do so by TPWD staff. Bass not accepted by TPWD must be immediately released. For smallmouth bass (if present), minimum length is 14 inches. No minimum length limit for Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass (if present). Daily bag limit for all black bass species is 5 in any combination.
Gear restriction: Fishing is by pole and line only.
Identify your catch
The upper jaw extends behind the eye. A dark lateral band runs along the side.
Habitat on Purtis Creek
Standing trees dominate the upper half and many coves; the guide describes managed hydrilla.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: TPWD reports a late-summer peak for its largest bass, as general historical guidance rather than a current catch forecast.
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 ↗