LivewellTexas · Harris County · Coastal
Upper Galveston Bay
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Upper Galveston Bay, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Dioxins, PCBs
Texas also has statewide guidance
Texas publishes rules that apply to coastals across the state — 25 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Upper Galveston Bay below.
Strictest statewide rule: Blackfin Tuna — For women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Upper Galveston Bay
Blue Crab
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Adults and children 12 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing | For women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. | |
| Children under 12 | For children under 12: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Gafftopsail Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Adults and children 12 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing | For women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. | |
| Children under 12 | For children under 12: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Hardhead Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Adults and children 12 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing | For women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. | |
| Children under 12 | For children under 12: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Spotted Seatrout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Adults and children 12 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing | For women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. | |
| Children under 12 | For children under 12: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Upper Galveston Bay
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
Dioxins
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
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
Getting on the water
- Houston Yacht Club marina 4.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.8 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.