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Matagorda Bay

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Texas, United States

4.7·831 catches

Top fish species at Matagorda Bay

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Matagorda Bay fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Red drum

length · weight

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Black drum

length · weight

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Southern flounder

length · weight

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Southern flounder

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Black drum

length · weight

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General info

Matagorda Bay is a part of an ocean located in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. It is also intersecting with Bastrop County, Texas. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Largemouth bass, and Black drum.

Location

28°39′16″N 95°59′7.4″W
Directions

Official website

tpwd.texas.gov

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Matagorda Bay?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Matagorda Bay. 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 Matagorda Bay, 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
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit3

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 size20" (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.

Max size28" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

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.

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
Hook and line only. During a license year, 1 red drum over the stated maxiumum length limit may be retained when affixed with a propertly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit.
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
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
Black drum

Black drum

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.

Max size30" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 52

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Additional information
No more than 1 black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Pogonias cromis
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Local laws and licenses

Texas fishing license

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Reviews of Matagorda Bay

4.7
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13 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Matagorda

3.1 miles away

Wadsworth

12.1 miles away

Palacios

15.6 miles away

Blessing

20.6 miles away

Sargent

22.8 miles away

Bay City

22.8 miles away

Midfield

24.1 miles away

Port O'Connor

30.1 miles away

La Ward

31.9 miles away

Sweeny

32.1 miles away

Magnolia Beach

34.7 miles away

Brazoria

37.0 miles away

Port Lavaca

39.0 miles away

Vanderbilt

39.5 miles away

East Columbia

40.3 miles away

El Campo

41.4 miles away

Iago

42.3 miles away

Lake Jackson

42.3 miles away

Freeport

42.9 miles away

Clute

43.9 miles away

Edna

45.9 miles away

Damon

45.9 miles away

Angleton

49.1 miles away

Needville

52.0 miles away

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FAQ about Matagorda Bay fishing

📍 Where is Matagorda Bay located?
Matagorda Bay is a part of an ocean located in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. It is also intersecting with Bastrop County, Texas. Its coordinates are:
28°39′16″N 95°59′7.4″W
.
🎣 Where on Matagorda Bay is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Matagorda Bay 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 Matagorda Bay?
The most common species in Matagorda Bay are:
  • Red drum - 86 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Largemouth bass - 49 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Black drum - 46 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Matagorda Bay fishing reports?
The latest Matagorda Bay fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Matagorda Bay right now?
According to fishing regulations at Matagorda Bay, 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 Matagorda Bay?

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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