Catfish
For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag and possession limit = 25 blue and channel catfish in any combination. In the 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or longer. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag = 5.
Official lake regulations ↗
Habitat on Waco
Rock, clay and gravel shorelines, flooded timber, roadbeds, docks and bridge pilings provide structure. Installed freshwater reefs supplement cover.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: TPWD describes spring bass in sheltered coves, crappie near brush and timber, catfish across flats and river arms, and spring white bass moving into rivers. Hybrids use offshore roads and points.
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
Blue Catfish
Harvest: For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag and possession limit = 25 blue and channel catfish in any combination. In the 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or longer. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag = 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.
Channel Catfish
Harvest: For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag and possession limit = 25 blue and channel catfish in any combination. In the 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or longer. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag = 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.
Flathead Catfish
Harvest: For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag and possession limit = 25 blue and channel catfish in any combination. In the 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater in length may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or longer. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag = 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.