You are confusing public waters, private waters and private land because of your lack of legal knowledge. Like I said, Squaw Creek is public access even though it's limited public access at times. because it's public access, the TP&W Code applies. I can do anything to bass in my pond because it's private waters. Prove I can't.

I don't think so (legally).

Private waters do not require a 'license' and have no size or bag limits. But other restrictions still apply.

https://www.google.com/search?q=illegal+to+use+gamefish+for+bait+in+texas+even+in+private+pond&sca_esv=bae068b56816ad3f&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWILJMfwdTKs9DiFLIT--hcn4t-WW_g%3A1722967760192&ei=0GayZoOzC5-lptQP_LmPmAY&ved=0ahUKEwiD27iK--CHAxWfkokEHfzcA2MQ4dUDCBA&oq=illegal+to+use+gamefish+for+bait+in+texas+even+in+private+pond&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiPmlsbGVnYWwgdG8gdXNlIGdhbWVmaXNoIGZvciBiYWl0IGluIHRleGFzIGV2ZW4gaW4gcHJpdmF0ZSBwb25kSABQAFgAcAB4AZABAJgBAKABAKoBALgBDMgBAPgBAZgCAKACAJgDAJIHAKAHAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp


Yes, it is illegal to use game fish or any part of a game fish as bait in Texas, including in private ponds. Other bait regulations include:
Live fish, including those caught by the angler, cannot be transported from the body of water where they were caught.
Commercially purchased live bait can be used while fishing from a vessel if the angler has a receipt that shows the bait's source.
Only certain species of fish can be used as bait, such as goldfish, common carp, native shrimp, crabs, crawfish, and nongame fish. Non-native species are not permitted.
In some counties, such as Brewster, Crane, and Crockett, only certain fish can be used as bait, such as common carp, fathead minnows, gizzard shad, and sunfish.
Fish that are edible or can be used as bait, such as gar species, common carp, and buffalo, cannot be released back into the water after being caught with archery equipment.

Texas Parks and Wildlife
General Fishing Regulations — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
There are several regulations that apply to bait: It is unlawful to use any game fish or p...

Texas Parks and Wildlife
Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions
Lawful archery equipment includes longbow, recurved bow, compound bow and crossbow. May be...

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (.gov)
FAQ – FISHING - TPWD
A fishing license is required of any person who fishes in the public waters of Texas. See ...

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (.gov)
Definitions - Fishing — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Something used to lure any wildlife resource. It is unlawful to use game fish or any part ...
the Texas Secretary of State
57.972 - Texas Administrative Code
(e) In Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Ector, El Paso, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, Kinney,

Facebook
Texas Parks and Wildlife - Which bait is invasive? You can't always tell by ...
phtml) It is also only permitted to use goldfish, common carp, or native shrimp, crabs, cr...
Generative AI is experimental. For legal advice, consult a professional.

I don’t know if it is a law or not, but it would be some kind of stupid to make it illegal on private waters.

It’s not. People kill off everything in their ponds all the time and start over with the species of fish they want. TP&W employed folks will even tell you the best way to do it.

No, but I caught one that could have been used as bait
Trying to look all serious while my Dad was laughing his a-- off taking this pic

The fish in my tank are not owned by the state of Texas. They belong to me just like the cows. I can do whatever I want to with them as they are my property.

That part in red exactly as you posted is not in any codified laws of the state that I know of. You just typed that in and made it red correct? Remember that the entire TP&W code related to aquatic life applies to the public waters of the state.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/...-regulations/general-fishing-regulations

I did NOT type it in. It was copied and pasted just as found at the address....I provided. I can not say for certain if it is correct, just something I found while searching. You can choose to ignore it if you like. But without question...there are other binding/lawful restrictions that apply to private waters....so I would not be surprised if that one is also true.

everyone just fish with whatever you want wherever you want and let the chips fall.

Let the GW work it out.


one of y'all is getting tased when you bow up to the lawman.
Be sure and video the conversation for all of our delight

I don’t know what source you copied and pasted it from but it’s not from the codified laws of the state of Texas.

I sent the question directly to the Texas Parks and Wildlife dept.

Hopefully get a definitive answer (if they answer at all). IF they do....I will share it here.

I don't intend to use any game fish for bait in my own stocked pond....but I am curious what the answer is.

That would be illegal.

You are confusing public waters, private waters and private land because of your lack of legal knowledge. Like I said, Squaw Creek is public access even though it's limited public access at times. because it's public access, the TP&W Code applies. I can do anything to bass in my pond because it's private waters. Prove I can't.

If the clerk who responds tells you anything except that fish in a private pond are aquatic life that’s owned by the landowner, and are not subject to the statutes in the parks and wildlife code, then don’t believe anything else that person tells you either.

Here’s a guide how to kill everything in a private pond from TP&W. If I can kill every living thing in the pond, do you actually think that it could be illegal to use one of them as bait?

“Usually a pond with an undesir-
able fish population offers only fair to poor fishing. To
restore good fishing, the owner can either drain the pond,
or use a fish toxicant such as rotenone to kill the fish,
and restock with desirable fishes.”

https://extension.rwfm.tamu.edu/wp-...one-Its-Uses-in-Fisheries-Management.pdf

My take would be private property private pond you own the fish, then of using game fish as bait does not apply.