LivewellTexas · Houston County · Reservoir
Lake Ratcliff
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Ratcliff, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
What's safe to eat from Lake Ratcliff
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Adults and children 12 and older | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 12 | For children under 12: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Texas's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Spotted Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Guadalupe Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Alabama Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | 18" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 18" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Bass | 10" min | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Bass | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Blue Catfish | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Flathead Catfish | 18" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | 10" min | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 10" min | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Alligator Gar | — | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Paddlefish | — | 0 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Saugeye | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Gizzard Shad | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Threadfin Shad | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Redear Sunfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Green Sunfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Warmouth | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Longear Sunfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Brown Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Texas — Texas TPWD