Get a Texas Fishing License

Texas Fishing Licenses Requirements

If you’re 16 or older and planning to fish in the public waters of Texas, you’ll need a valid Texas fishing license. A license allows you to take fish by all legal methods, from rod and reel to bow fishing.

In addition to getting a Texas fishing license, you may also need to get a fishing endorsement. Specifically, you’ll need a freshwater fishing endorsement if you plan to take or attempt to take fish in Texas’ fresh waters and a saltwater fishing endorsement if you fish in the public saltwater of Texas.

Fishing License Exemptions

There are many exceptions to the Texas fishing license requirement. These include:

• Visitors to Texas state parks
• Those fishing in private waters
• Residents born before January 1, 1931
• Persons with an intellectual disability fishing as part of medically approved therapy
• Those with an intellectual disability fishing under the supervision of a licensed angler
• Individuals fishing on the state’s free fishing day

Types of Fishing Licenses and Fees

Whether you’re a resident or visitor, you’ll have several options when it comes to purchasing a Texas fishing license. To obtain your license, a resident is someone who has lived continuously in Texas for more than six months immediately before buying a license.

Freshwater

• Texas Resident Freshwater Fishing License Package: $30
• Texas Resident Senior Freshwater Fishing License Package: $12
• Non-resident Freshwater Texas Fishing License Package: $58

Saltwater

• Texas Resident Saltwater Fishing License Package: $35
• Texas Resident Senior Saltwater Fishing License Package: $17
• Non-resident Saltwater Texas Fishing License Package: $63

You also have the option to purchase an all-water package that includes both a license and freshwater and saltwater endorsement. Both freshwater and saltwater packages as well as the all-water are available from the date of sale until August 31, the end of the Texas license year.

A lifetime fishing license, available only to residents, also includes both endorsements. The cost for a lifetime resident fishing package is $1,000.

All of the fees from license sales support conservation efforts that help make Texas one of the best places in the country to fish.

Where to Buy Your Fishing License

You have three options for purchasing your Texas fishing license:

Once you have your Texas Fishing license, you’ll need to have it in your possession when fishing, be able to display an image of it on your phone, or show proof of purchase from inside the “Outdoor Annual” mobile app.

1. Purchase Online: Texas Fishing Licenses are available from the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.
2. Order Over the Phone: You can call (800) 895-4248 between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
3. Buy at a Texas Fishing License Retailer: There are 1,800 approved vendors you can visit. You can search for one near you on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.