Fishing Licenses and Packages
Resident Requirements
A resident fishing license is required of any resident who fishes in the public waters of Texas.
Exceptions
A license/package is not required for the following residents:
- a person under 17 years of age.
- a person born before January 1, 1931.
- a person with an intellectual disability fishing as part
of medically approved therapy, under the immediate supervision of personnel approved or employed by a hospital, residence, or school for persons with an intellectual disability. The person with an intellectual disability must carry an authorization identifying the entity supplying the service. This authorization may be in the form of an identification card that contains the name of the sponsoring entity; or - a person with an intellectual disability fishing under the direct supervision of a licensed angler who is either a family member or has permission from the family to take the person fishing. While fishing, the person with an intellectual disability needs a note from a doctor stating the person has been diagnosed as having an intellectual disability.
Non-resident Requirements
A non-resident fishing license is required of all non-residents who fish in the public waters of Texas.
Exceptions
Licenses/Packages are not required for:
- non-residents under 17 years of age;
- Louisiana resident 65 years of age or older who possesses a valid Louisiana Recreational Fishing License (includes Senior Fish/Hunt License); or
- Oklahoma resident 65 years of age or older.
Requirements for Aquatic Species
A valid fishing license with a freshwater or saltwater endorsement is required of any resident who fishes or takes fish, mussels, clams, crayfish, or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas.
A hunting license is required to take turtles and frogs.
Freshwater Packages
Includes a resident, senior resident, or non-resident fishing license valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year and a freshwater endorsement. A saltwater endorsement may also be purchased.
Senior freshwater package is available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.
Freshwater Packages
| License Package | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Freshwater Package | Texas resident | 231 | $30 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Senior Freshwater Package | Texas resident 65 years and older | 234 | $12 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Non-resident Freshwater Package | Non-resident | 250 | $58 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
Saltwater Packages
Includes a resident, senior resident, or non-resident fishing license valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag. A freshwater endorsement may also be purchased.
Senior saltwater package is available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.
Saltwater Packages
| License Package | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Saltwater Package | Texas resident | 232 | $35 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Senior Saltwater Package | Texas resident 65 years and older | 235 | $17 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Non-resident Saltwater Package | Non-resident | 251 | $63 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
All-Water Packages
Includes a resident, senior resident, or non-resident fishing license, a freshwater endorsement, and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag.
All-water package licenses are valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
Year from Purchase All-Water Fishing Package (Resident Only)Fishing license, a freshwater endorsement and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag are all valid from the date of purchase through the end of the purchase month of the next license year.Senior All-Water PackageSenior All-Water Package is available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.All-Water Packages
| License Package | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident All-Water Package | Texas resident | 233 | $40 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package | Texas resident | 237 | $47 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Senior All-Water Package | Texas resident 65 years and older | 236 | $22 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Non-resident All-Water Package | Non-resident | 252 | $68 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
All-Water Licenses
Special Resident All-Water Fishing LicenseAvailable to any Texas resident who is legally blind. Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes one red drum tag.One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Resident and Non Resident)Valid for the selected day or days purchased. Endorsements are not required for this license. Consecutive days may be bought at the time of purchase. One red drum tag (Item 598) is available at no additional charge (limit one per customer).All-Water Licenses
| License | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Day All-Water License | Texas resident | 213 | $11 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
| Special Resident All-Water Fishing License | Texas resident who is legally blind | 244 | $7 | Purchase at TPWD headquarters or a law enforcement sales office |
| One-Day All-Water License | Non-resident | 214 | $16 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
Fishing Guide Licenses
Fishing Guide Licenses are required for any person who for compensation, accompanies, assists or transports any person engaged in fishing in the waters of the state. For fees and details, see Commercial Licenses or download the Commercial Fishing Guide.
Fishing Guide Licenses
| License | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Fishing Guide License | Texas resident and non-resident | 600 | $132 | Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office |
| Resident All-Water Fishing Guide License | Texas resident | 610 | $210 | Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office |
| Resident All-Water Paddle-craft Fishing Guide License | Texas resident | 650 | $210 | Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office |
| Non-resident All-Water Fishing Guide License | Non-resident | 710 | $1,050 | Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office |
| Non-resident All-Water Paddle-craft Fishing Guide License | Non-resident | 750 | $1,050 | Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office |
Lake Texoma License
With this license, valid until December 31 following the date of issuance, a person may fish in both the Texas and Oklahoma waters of Lake Texoma without any additional Texas or Oklahoma fishing licenses. A Texas resident 65 years of age or older does not need this license to fish in the Oklahoma portion of Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma license is valid only on Lake Texoma.
Lake Texoma License
| License | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Texoma License | Texas resident and non-resident | 208 | $12 | Buy online or Find a retailer |
Sport Oyster Boat Licenses
Required when using a sport oyster dredge or tongs to harvest oysters recreationally. For this license only, residency is based on the boat's records. Available only at TPWD HQ or Law Enforcement offices.
The resident sport oyster boat license is for boats with a current registration in Texas, or having a current certificate of documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard that shows the owner's address is in Texas.
The non-resident sport oyster boat license is for boats with a current registration not in Texas or having a current certificate of documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard that shows the owner's address not in Texas.
Sport Oyster Boat Licenses
| License | Eligibility | Item | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sport Oyster Boat License | Texas resident | 328 | $13 | Purchase at TPWD headquarters or a law enforcement sales office |
| Non-resident Sport Oyster Boat License | Non-resident | 428 | $51 | Purchase at TPWD headquarters or a law enforcement sales office |
Lifetime Fishing Licenses and Tags
Lifetime licenses and tags are available to Texas residents and are valid for the lifetime of the license holder.
