Tex. Parks & Wild. Code Section 66.102
Placing Prohibited Devices in Public Water

A device designed to catch fish or other aquatic wildlife resources that is placed in the public fresh water of this state in violation of a law or commission proclamation is a nuisance, and a game warden or other peace officer shall confiscate and dispose of the device as provided by Section 12.1104 (Removal and Disposal of Abandoned Fishing Device) or 12.1105 (Seizure and Disposition of Unlawful Fishing Devices), as applicable. A game warden or other peace officer is immune from liability for the destruction of devices found in violation of this section.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 23, ch. 9, art. I, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 29, 1983.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 34 (S.B. 599), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.

Source: Section 66.102 — Placing Prohibited Devices in Public Water, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.­66.­htm#66.­102 (accessed May 26, 2025).

66.001
Definitions 66.002
Consent to Take Fish from Private Water 66.003
Placing Explosives or Harmful Substances in Water 66.004
Taking of Fish by Electric Shock Prohibited 66.005
Wilful Destruction of Boat, Seine, or Net 66.006
Possession of Illegal Fishing Devices 66.007
Exotic Harmful or Potentially Harmful Fish and Shellfish 66.008
Fishing from Bridge 66.009
Navigation Districts 66.011
Leaving Fish to Die 66.012
Penalties 66.013
Federal Grants 66.014
Identification of Vehicle Transporting Aquatic Products 66.015
Introduction of Fish, Shellfish, and Aquatic Plants 66.016
Commercial Fishing Regulations Applicable if Commercial Plates on Board 66.017
License, Tag, and Permit Expirations and Transfers 66.018
Crab Trap Tags 66.019
Statistical Reports 66.020
Sale and Purchase of Protected Fish 66.021
Protected Fish: Display of Documents 66.022
Purchase for Evidence 66.023
Fraud in Fishing Tournaments 66.024
Seagrass Plants 66.0071
Removal of Harmful Aquatic Plants 66.0072
Exotic Harmful or Potentially Harmful Aquatic Plants 66.0073
Rules Requiring Water to Be Drained 66.0091
Fishing in Certain Man-made Waterways 66.102
Placing Prohibited Devices in Public Water 66.109
Fish Ladders 66.110
Screens to Protect Fish 66.111
Sale and Purchase of Certain Fish 66.114
Game and Nongame Fish Defined: Commission Proclamation 66.115
Handfishing 66.121
Penalty 66.204
Vessels and Obstructions in Fish Passes 66.206
Trotline Tags 66.208
Commercial Joint Fishing Ventures 66.215
Tags for Noncommercial Nets and Seines 66.216
Possession of Headed or Tailed Fish 66.217
Finfish Research 66.218
Penalties 66.301
Definition 66.303
Prohibited Acts 66.304
Port Authorities and Navigation Districts 66.305
Harbor Pilots 66.306
Enforcement 66.307
Political Asylum 66.308
Penalty 66.2011
Red Drum and Speckled Sea Trout: Penalties 66.2012
Regulation of Commercial Uses of Redfish and Speckled Sea Trout 66.2161
Sale or Purchase of Shark Fins or Shark Fin Products
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
May 26, 2025

§ 66.102. Placing Prohibited Devices in Pub. Water's source at texas​.gov