Effects of a 356-mm Statewide Minimum Length Limit on Abundance of Adult Largemouth Bass in Texas

Statewide 356-mm minimum-length and 5-fish daily creel limits for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were evaluated on 28 Texas reservoirs. Electrofishing catch rate data were used to evaluate changes in adult largemouth bass density and size structure 2 years after the limits were implemented. Statewide regulations successfully increased adult largemouth bass densities in Texas reservoirs. Electrofishing catch rates of fish ≥254 mm and those ≥356 mm increased significantly across the study reservoirs. Largemouth bass size structure also shifted towards larger fish.