Texas in 1998 recorded a commercial catch of 89,217,000 lb, valued at $183,257,000 (5th). The leading commercial fishing ports are Brownsville-Port Isabel, Galveston, Aransas Pass-Rockport, and Freeport.
Shrimp accounted for about 81% of the total volume of the catch in 1995; other commercial shellfish include blue crabs and oysters. Species of saltwater fish with the greatest commercial value are yellowfin tuna, red snapper, swordfish, and flounder. Texas had 147 fish processing and wholesale plants employing 2,598 persons in 1997. Early in 1980, the US government banned shrimp fishing for 45 days, effective in the summer of 1981, in order to conserve shrimp supplies. Texas has since continued to close the Gulf to shrimping from about 1 June to 15 July.
The state manages fish stocks and habitats to maintain 40.4 million freshwater and 14.5 million marine angler days per year. In 1998, Texas issued 1,451,414 sport fishing licenses. Among the most sought-after native freshwater fish are large-mouth and white bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish.