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Belton Lake

Freshwater · TexasBell & Coryell countiesLake-specific exceptions
Last checked against TPWD: Oct 17, 2026
Regulation year: 2026–27

Plain-English summary AI-written from the cited records

Belton Lake is listed in the TPWD 2026-27 exceptions table with code Ctfsh1, and exception codes replace the statewide rule for the species they name 1. For blue and channel catfish at Belton Lake, there is no minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25 fish in any combination 2. Within that 25-fish bag, no more than 5 fish 20 inches or greater may be retained, and no more than 1 of those can be 30 inches or greater 2.

Generated from the official records on this page and machine-checked so it contains no number that isn't in them. The tables below and TPWD's text are authoritative.

Lake level
592.99 ft
Water-surface elevation above NGVD 1929 · observed Oct 17, 2026, 10:00 PM CT
Daily mean, last 30 days

Source: USGS 08102000 ↗ (provisional data)

Water temperature

This USGS gauge doesn't measure water temperature.

License

Texas fishing license with freshwater endorsement — see TPWD for who needs one.

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Exceptions at Belton Lake

TPWD lists Belton (Bell, Coryell) in its exceptions table with these codes. Wording is TPWD's:

TPWD 2026–27 Fishing summary (PDF), pp. 15–18 2026–27 · official source ↗ · checked Oct 17, 2026

Statewide limits (for anything the exceptions above don't cover)

Statewide freshwater limits that apply at Belton Lake
SpeciesDaily bagMin lengthMax length
Largemouth bass5 fish for any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass.14 inches—
Smallmouth bass5 fish for any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass.14 inches—
Spotted, Guadalupe & Alabama bass5 fish for any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass.None—
Striped & Hybrid Striped bass
  • Possession Limit Exception: Lake Texoma
  • Also Known As: Palmetto or Sunshine bass
5 in any combination18 inches—
White bass2510 inches—
Yellow bassNo limitNone—
Catfish: Channel, blue, their hybrids & subspecies25 (in any combination - only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length)No Limit—
Catfish: Flathead518 inches—
Crappie: White, black, their hybrids & subspecies25 (in any combination)10 inches—
Gar: Alligator
  • Possession Limit Exception: Falcon Reservoir
  • Restrictions for Spawning Gar: Certain areas may be temporarily closed to fishing when optimum spawning conditions occur.
  • Mandatory Harvest Reporting: All alligator gar harvested from the public waters of the state other than Falcon International Reservoir must be reported within 24 hours to the department using the “Texas Hunt & Fish” mobile app , or online in a web browser.
  • Release Restrictions: Gar may not be released back into the water after being taken with lawful archery equipment.
1None—
Paddlefish
  • No harvest allowed
———
Saugeye5 (only 2 can be less than 16 inches in length)None—
Shad: Gizzard & threadfinNo limit; however, a person who collects shad for personal use and transports those fish from a public water body in a container or containers that total 30 gallons or more in volume will be required to get a Permit to Possess or Sell Nongame Fish Taken from Public Fresh Water .None—
Sunfish: various including bluegill, redear, green, warmouth & longearNo limitNone—
Trout: Rainbow & brown5 in any combinationNone—
Walleye5 (only 2 can be less than 16 inches in length)None—

TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026–27 · official source ↗ · checked Oct 17, 2026

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