2008---2009 Regulations for Lake Fork says 16 inches or less can be retained. I have always thought if it touched the 16 inch mark it was not legal. How do you read it. If it touches the line but not over is it legal???

Don't keep a fish on the limit. I have argued that with a game warden several times at Fayette and he says the law is 14 and over must be released. The book says the slot is 14-24 but also says fish 14 or less may be retained. What you have to remember is the book we have is an outdoors guide, and the book the game warden has is the law book. His is bigger and wins everytime.

Here is the Fayette regulation:

For largemouth bass, length limit is a 14-24 slot. Bass 14 inches and less or 24 inches or greater in length may be retained

This discussion has gone on before. I know what the GM's say, touch 16" and keep it and a ticket.

The way I read it is if it is not over 16, it can be retained, that includes 16. It says "16 AND under or 24 OR over may be retained".
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/limits_freshwater/exceptions.phtml#F

Why would you keep a fish that is questionable?Plus or minus 1/8 of an inch is not worth hassling with the Game warden about,he is going to win anyway.Go catch another one

You are correct,that's how it reads. But the game warden will write you a ticket for retaining a slot fish. I wish they would change the language in the outdoors guide to reflect what the law truely is.

But, the way it reads, it must be over 16 and under 24 to be a slot. Being dead on 16 or 24 is not within the slot. Now if it were 16 1/16, or 23 7/8 it would be a slot. They need to change the wording if they want to include 16 and 24 as slot fish. 16 inches "AND" under and 24 "OR" over means exactly that, I don't care how it is interpreted, it still means 16 "AND" and 24 "OR". I have a headache.

It needs to be rewritten. I know you can't brind one in that touches 16" at a Media tournament on Fork.