If you are 17 or older and plan to fish any public water in Texas, you need a Texas fishing license. Residents pay $30 for a freshwater package or $40 for an all-water package; non-residents and short-term visitors have their own options. A handful of exemptions apply, but the default rule covers almost everyone with a rod in hand.
Who Needs a License
Texas requires a license for anyone who takes or attempts to take fish, mussels, crayfish, or other aquatic life from public waters. That includes rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico, and it applies to residents and non-residents on equal terms.
The license itself is only half of what you need. You also need an endorsement matching the water you fish: freshwater for rivers and lakes, saltwater for coastal bays and offshore. Buying one of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) packages handles this automatically, with the correct endorsement bundled in. Saltwater packages also include red drum and spotted seatrout tags at no extra cost.1Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Fishing Endorsements, Tags and Permits
Who Is Exempt
You do not need a Texas fishing license if any of these apply:
- You are under 17, resident or not.2Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Fishing Licenses and Packages
- You are a Texas resident born before January 1, 1931.3State of Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code 46.002 – Exemptions
- You are fishing inside a Texas state park. Park entrance fees still apply.2Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Fishing Licenses and Packages
- You are fishing on Free Fishing Day, the first Saturday in June each year.4State of Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code 46.0012 – Free Sportfishing Day
- You are a disabled veteran with a VA rating of 50 percent or higher, or you have lost the use of a foot or leg. You qualify for a free Super Combo package covering both hunting and all-water fishing.5Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package
- You are fishing as part of medically approved therapy under approved hospital or school supervision, or you have a mental illness or intellectual disability and are fishing under the direct supervision of a licensed angler who is a family member or has family permission.3State of Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code 46.002 – Exemptions
Being exempt from the license requirement does not exempt you from anything else. Bag limits, size limits, and seasonal restrictions apply the same way they do to licensed anglers.
What a Texas Fishing License Costs
TPWD sells licenses as packages that bundle the base license with the right endorsement. Any package you buy is valid from the purchase date through August 31, the end of the Texas license year.2Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Fishing Licenses and Packages
Resident Packages
- Freshwater Package: $30
- Saltwater Package: $35
- All-Water Package: $40
- Senior Freshwater Package: $12
- Senior Saltwater Package: $17
The senior rates are available to Texas residents who meet the state’s age criteria.2Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Fishing Licenses and Packages
Non-Resident Packages
- Freshwater Package: $58
- Saltwater Package: $63
- All-Water Package: $68
Short-Term and Lifetime
A One-Day All-Water License costs $11 for residents and $16 for non-residents, with no separate endorsement required. Texas residents can also buy a Lifetime Resident Fishing Package for a one-time $1,000, which covers them for life without annual renewal.6Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Lifetime Licenses
How To Buy One
You have three options:
- Online at txfgsales.com. A $5 administrative fee applies.7Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Official Online Fishing and Hunting License Sales
- By phone at (800) 895-4248, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. The same $5 fee applies.7Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Official Online Fishing and Hunting License Sales
- In person at roughly 1,800 retail locations statewide, including sporting goods stores, bait and tackle shops, grocery stores, and TPWD offices. No administrative fee.8Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Where to Get Licenses
You will need your name, address, and date of birth. A replacement for a lost license costs $10.9Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Frequently Asked Questions About Licenses
Saltwater Anglers and the Federal Registry
A valid Texas saltwater license or any package with a saltwater endorsement satisfies the federal National Saltwater Angler Registry run by NOAA. The federal registry only applies to anglers who lack a state-issued saltwater license, so most Texas coastal anglers do not need to register separately.10NOAA Fisheries. Frequent Questions – National Saltwater Angler Registry
Penalties for Fishing Without a License
Fishing without a license is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor, with a fine of $25 to $500. Game wardens in Texas are full law enforcement officers, and they patrol popular fishing spots, boat ramps, and piers.11Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Laws, Penalties and Restitution
A conviction can bring more than a fine. Fishing privileges can be suspended or revoked for up to five years, and gear used in the violation can be confiscated.11Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Laws, Penalties and Restitution Texas also participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, so a Texas revocation can block you from getting a license in other member states.12CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts. Wildlife Violator Compact