I'm sure this is a novice question but I cannot seem to find it in my annual or the tpwd online source. I'm taking some friends kids out fishing tomorrow and hoping to run into a mess of crappie. They are under 17 so don't need a license but can they each possibly limit out for a possible total of 75 crappie between the three of us? Thanks again forum masters!

Are you sure they don't need a fishing license at age 17? (I honestly don't remember the minimum age)

But, short answer is that every angler can keep a limit. It can be different if you have a 4 year old who's with you, but not really fishing and you keep the kids limit. At least I see it as different.

Whoops I'll edit that I meant to say both are under 17. 10 and 7. Thank you for the clarification. Don't think I could justify keeping that many but I just was wondering.

Just don't be stupid and use common sense -- GW will likely watch you before approaching. And, in my experience, they are common sense people too.

Yeah, if they're 10 and 7 they're perfectly capable of catching their limits. And they can keep them in addition to you keeping yours.

GWs will ask the kids how many they caught. I know many try to catch more and apply to someone elses limit. That is illegal.

You cannot keep over your personal limit. So once you have 25, you must stop fishing.

so much erroneous information on the net from what I have seen it is counterproductive to ask about regulations on a forum just look it up or call the GW

You must stop KEEPING.

Each licensed fisherman (or fisherman exempt from needing a license) is entitled to catch all of the fish they can and to keep any legal fish THEY catch up to the legal bag limit. So if you catch 25 and your 10 yr old catches 25 and your 7 yr old catches 25 and all are caught using legal methods and are over the minimum length for the water body you can keep 75 crappie.

However, if you catch 150 and your 10 and 7 yr olds spend the day chasing butterflies you can only keep 25 legal fish.

Also, a bag limit and a possession limit are two different things. The bag limit is the number of legal fish you can keep in a day. The possession limit is the number of legal fish that you can have in your possession at any given time outside of your residence. Generally the possession limit is two daily bag limits in your possession outside of you home.

End of story:-).

I could not find information for possession limits for recreational fishermen. If you are fishing with two others exempt from having a fishing license, the bag limit is the number of fish divided by the number of fishermen in the boat. It does not say each fisherman can only keep his limit.

This is in the 2008-2009 Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual. I could not find my current annual.

directly from TPW website under FAQ

Do persons who are under 17 (or otherwise exempt from license requirements) have the same bag limit for fish as those who have a fishing license?

Yes. An angler under 17, or a senior who is exempt from license requirements because of age, is permitted to catch the same daily limit as a licensed angler. For example, if a 30-year-old dad goes crappie fishing with two daughters aged 6 and 10, each of the three could legally catch and keep up to 25 crappie

Is there a limit to the number of fish you can have in a boat?

Each licensed or exempt angler in the boat is entitled to keep one daily bag limit, except on guided fishing trips, where the boat limit is equal to the daily bag limit multiplied by the number of licensed/exempt anglers on board, minus the guide and any deck hands employed by the guide

[url=http://tpwd.texas.gov/faq/fishboat/fish/index.phtml#regulate][/url]

Adam, in my experience, 7 out of 10 times you are approached by a GW, you have been observed for a period of time by them. They have had the opportunity to assess the situation and when they ask you a question the truth is ALWAYS the best answer. If you take your kids fishing, great deal DAD, just don't take them to help you pad your numbers. First idea, kids will remember what you did, and that is never a good thing. Second, you are teaching them to avert the laws to suit themselves, again never a good thing. Lastly, you are there to teach your kids to enjoy the outdoors, fishing, and good clean fun...dont ruin it by obsessing over limits. The other folks have answered your questions...you are entitled to a limit apiece, just understand that the kids need to catch their own fish...usually, they will get bored fishing after 6 or 8 fish caught and want to go play...that is when it is time to leave or go keep an eye on them...hope this advice helps...good luck and good fishing

Oh BTW, if you want to go limit fishing...take a couple fishing buddy's that can hang through the grind...

Point taken. I forgot about culling.