King Mackerel regulations
Texas · Curated reference from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected Texas saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.
SPECIES LINKS
FIELD GUIDE
Scomberomorus cavalla
speciesBASICA migratory mackerel of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, common in the coastal zone from North Carolina to Brazil and occasionally as far north as the Gulf of Maine.
HABITAT
Coastal zone, commonly at 12–45 m (40–150 ft) where the principal fisheries occur.
SIZE
typically 5–14 kg (11–30 lb); can exceed 40 kg
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
King Mackerel identification is educational; species identification does not establish legal applicability for Texas.
- LISTED LIMIT
- Possession limit is double the 3-fish daily bag.
- LISTED MIN SIZE
- 27 inches
- APPLICABILITY
- TPWD 2026-27 Mackerel page lists a 27-inch minimum and no maximum. TPWD marks these 2026-27 rules valid September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027 — before September 1 the prior season's rules apply.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Mackerel Bag & Length Limits, 2026-27 Outdoor Annual
UPDATED September 1, 2026 · CHECKED Sep 28, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026
TPWD outdoor annual saltwater regulations ↗The TPWD page is an informational summary; the Texas Administrative Code and emergency orders are authoritative.
LAUNCH SITES
Curated launch sites in Texas (4)
This reference does not grant permission to fish or retain a catch. Location, method, vessel, species identification, and emergency closures can change what applies. Verify the applicable official rules.