Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Aquatic vegetation and standing timber provide major fish habitat.
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Angelina · Jasper · Nacogdoches · Sabine · San Augustine · TPWD regulatory reservoir boundary
DSHS lists no possession ban for Sam Rayburn. Eating restrictions still apply.
Eating guidance is shown in the individual fish profiles below.
Quick Limits
Sam RayburnMain fish groups · Lake-specific daily bags. Open a fish profile for the full rule and eating guidance.
| Fish | Daily bag | Length rule | Eating guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass → | 5 | 14 inchesUp to 5 largemouth bass per day, but the five-fish limit is combined across largemouth, spotted, and other black bass species. Every retained largemouth must be at least 14 inches. | Species-specific restrictions apply |
| Crappie → | 25 | 10 inches25 per day total for black and white crappie (including hybrids and subspecies), minimum 10 inches. | Not named in listed advisory |
| Catfish → | Varies | VariesBlue and channel: 50 combined daily, no more than 5 measuring 30 inches or longer; no minimum length. Flathead: 5 daily, minimum 18 inches. Blue/channel lake-specific possession limit is 50 combined. | Species-specific restrictions apply |
| Sunfish → | No limit | No minimumNo daily bag or minimum length for bluegill, redear, warmouth and other sunfish. | Not named in listed advisory |
| White Bass → | 25 | 10 inches25 white bass daily, 10-inch minimum. Yellow bass is a separate species with different rules. | Not named in listed advisory |
Combined bags apply where shown. The general possession limit is twice the daily bag unless a specific exception sets another limit. A fish not named in an advisory is not guaranteed safe to eat.
Rule sources
TPWD lake regulations ↗DSHS eating guidance ↗Fish this lake
Individual lake profilesIdentification, limits, eating guidance and fishing approach for Sam Rayburn.
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides14 inches · 5 daily
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus10 inches · 25 daily
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis10 inches · 25 daily
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatusNo minimum · 50 combined daily
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatusNo minimum · 50 combined daily
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris18-inch minimum · 5 daily
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirusNo minimum · No limit daily
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophusNo minimum · No limit daily
Warmouth
Lepomis gulosusNo minimum · No limit daily
White Bass
Morone chrysops10 inches · 25 daily
More fish & special rules ⌄
Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatusNo minimum · 5 daily
Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatulaNo minimum · Varies daily
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseusNo statewide minimum · No statewide limit daily
Spotted Gar
Lepisosteus oculatusNo statewide minimum · No statewide limit daily
Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomusNo statewide minimum · No statewide limit daily
Smallmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus bubalusNo statewide minimum · No statewide limit daily
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellusNo statewide minimum · No statewide limit daily
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpioNo statewide minimum · No statewide limit daily
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniensNo minimum · No limit daily
Bowfin
Amia calvaNo minimum · No limit daily
Yellow Bass
Morone mississippiensisNo minimum · No limit daily
Boating, water & access
Before you launchWater level & storage
Elevation observed 2026-10-10 11:00 · storage date 2026-10-10. Source times shown as published by TWDB. Provisional data may be revised.
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Water source & meaning
Elevation and storage have different observation times. Storage percentage describes the conservation pool, not flood storage. A low-water reading does not establish whether a particular ramp is usable.
TWDB source ↗Access on Sam Rayburn
TPWD lists 22 maintained access areas, with boat ramps, around the reservoir. Low water can make some ramps unusable. The directory does not confirm today’s launch conditions.
Directory checked 2026-10-10. Current launch status, closures and water depth at each ramp remain unconfirmed.
Navigation & shoreline
Aquatic vegetation and standing timber provide major fish habitat.
Standing timber and changing water levels can affect navigation. Plan launch and return conditions for your boat and access point.
No ramp or boating route is labeled safe or open without a current authority notice.
Lake habitat source ↗Featured access points
Caney Creek
Boat-ramp access listed by TPWD
Operator confirmation required
Current status unconfirmedCassells-Boykin
Boat-ramp access listed by TPWD
Operator confirmation required
Current status unconfirmedTwin Dikes
Boat-ramp access listed by TPWD
Operator confirmation required
Current status unconfirmedHanks Creek
Boat-ramp access listed by TPWD
Operator confirmation required
Current status unconfirmedSandy Creek
Boat-ramp access listed by TPWD
Operator confirmation required
Current status unconfirmedSpecies follows & community reports Optional
Community catch reports
Past 7 daysDistinct anglers reporting each species · Community reported, unverified. These are not fish totals or proof of current biting activity.
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