Texas Opens Oyster Harvest in Several Coastal Bays
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opened oyster harvesting in multiple bays along the Texas coast, including Copano Bay for the first time in four years.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hunting
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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opened oyster harvesting on November 2 in several Texas coastal bays, including Copano Bay, which reopens for the first time in four years. Open areas span Galveston, Trinity, Matagorda, Aransas, Corpus Christi and Lower Laguna Madre waters.
Why it matters
Coastal fisheries staff open or close bays based on the availability of legal-sized oysters, balancing harvest opportunities against resource conservation. Maintaining that balance matters for the state's oyster industry and for Texas reefs.
Recreational harvesters may take up to two bushels, or six sacks, of oysters three inches or larger per day, and only between sunrise and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. A license or permit is required to harvest in Texas waters.
The players
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The state agency that manages Texas fisheries and wildlife, sets oyster harvest regulations, and conducts pre-season sampling to determine which coastal areas open for harvest.
The details
Open areas include TX-1 north of Bolivar, TX-5 off Smith Point, TX-13, TX-19 and TX-20 in Matagorda Bay, TX-29, TX-30 and TX-32 in Aransas Bay, TX-33 in Corpus Christi Bay and TX-34 in the Lower Laguna Madre. Before each season, Parks and Wildlife collects oyster samples to determine which coastal portions will open.
Timeline
November 1: Oyster harvest season opens for commercial and recreational harvesting.
November 2: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opened the oyster harvest in several bays.
April 30: The oyster season closes for the year.
Seasonal Patterns
The November 1 to April 30 oyster season set under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rules structures the annual harvest, and this year's Copano Bay reopening after four years marks a departure from recent closures in that system.
Harvesters should confirm that their chosen bay is open and carry a valid license, since a license or permit is required for oyster harvesting in Texas. Recreational limits cap harvest at two bushels or six sacks per day, and collection is allowed only from sunrise to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.
The takeaway
Check the current status of each bay before heading out, because harvest areas can close early if oyster abundance drops. Following the size and bag limits helps keep Texas oyster reefs productive for future seasons.
What happens next
The oyster season runs through April 30, and areas may close earlier if legal-size abundance is low or public health concerns arise.
Further reading
Explore more about Hunting regulations and seasons across Texas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Houston Chronicle.
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