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Cooks Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Texas, United States

24 catches

Top fish species at Cooks Lake

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Check which species have trophy potential in Cooks Lake

Cooks Lake fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Redear sunfish

length · weight

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Blue catfish

18 in · 2 lb 2 oz

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Channel catfish

12 in · 1 lb

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Channel catfish

16 in · 1 lb 6 oz

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General info

Cooks Lake is a lake located in Hardin County, Texas, United States. It is most popular for fishing Blue catfish, Largemouth bass, and Channel catfish.

Location

30°10′25.2″N 94°07′49.7″W
Directions

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Cooks Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Cooks Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Cooks Lake, TX

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Texas can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Blue catfish

Blue catfish

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit25

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit25

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
No minimum size, but only 10 of the 25 catfish bag limit can be 20-inches or greater in length; this applies to blue and channel catfish in any combination. Hook and line only. Statewide regulations apply to all public fresh waters except locations noted in the Exceptions to Statewide Freshwater Harvest Regulations.
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Ictalurus furcatus
Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size14" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
Daily Bag Limit = 5 fish for any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass. Statewide regulations apply to all public fresh waters except locations noted in the Exceptions to Statewide Freshwater Harvest Regulations.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Channel catfish

Channel catfish

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit25

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit25

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
No minimum size, but only 10 of the 25 catfish bag limit can be 20-inches or greater in length; this applies to blue and channel catfish in any combination. Hook and line only. Statewide regulations apply to all public fresh waters except locations noted in the Exceptions to Statewide Freshwater Harvest Regulations.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Ictalurus punctatus
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Local laws and licenses

Texas fishing license

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Cities nearby

Beaumont

6.2 miles away

Lumberton

7.3 miles away

Bevil Oaks

8.5 miles away

Vidor

8.6 miles away

Evadale

12.0 miles away

Silsbee

12.2 miles away

China

14.7 miles away

Mauriceville

15.5 miles away

Nederland

16.0 miles away

Sour Lake

16.6 miles away

Port Neches

17.5 miles away

Kountze

17.6 miles away

Fannett

18.4 miles away

Bridge City

20.0 miles away

Groves

20.3 miles away

Buna

21.3 miles away

Taylor Landing

21.4 miles away

Orange

22.3 miles away

Forest Heights

22.4 miles away

Deweyville

23.9 miles away

Hamshire

24.6 miles away

Port Arthur

25.1 miles away

Devers

29.0 miles away

Starks

29.2 miles away

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FAQ about Cooks Lake fishing

📍 Where is Cooks Lake located?
Cooks Lake is a lake located in Hardin County, Texas, United States. Its coordinates are:
30°10′25.2″N 94°07′49.7″W
.
🎣 Where on Cooks Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Cooks Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Cooks Lake?
The most common species in Cooks Lake are:
📢 What are the latest Cooks Lake fishing reports?
The latest Cooks Lake fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Cooks Lake right now?
According to fishing regulations at Cooks Lake, some of the species in season this November include: Atlantic bluefin tuna. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cooks Lake?

Fishing in Texas requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Resident and non-resident licenses, including short-term and combination options, are available online or from licensed retailers statewide.

In Texas, no fishing license is required for anglers under 17 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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