Fishing Licenses and Packages

Effective through August 31, 2008

A valid fishing license with a freshwater or saltwater stamp is required to take fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas. A hunting license is required to take turtles and frogs.

The first Saturday in June of each year is the annual Free Fishing Day and no person is required to have a fishing license or stamp endorsements while fishing on that day.

A fishing license and stamp endorsement are not required if fishing from the bank in a state park or in waters completely enclosed by a state park. All other fishing regulations, such as length and bag limits, remain in effect.

Recreational anglers must have a Texas fishing license and saltwater endorsement to bring any fish taken in federal waters ashore in Texas

Resident Fishing Licenses

Required of any resident who fishes in the public waters of Texas (Note: All members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty and their dependents are considered residents).

The following individuals do not need a license/package:

• individuals under 17 years of age.
• individuals born before Sept. 1, 1930.
• certain individuals with developmental disabilities, as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Sec. 46.002

A resident fishing license is included in all Super Combination and Combination packages (including Texas Resident Active Duty Military), the Lifetime Resident Combination and Lifetime Resident Fishing licenses, and the various resident fishing packages offered by the Department. A resident who holds one of these licenses/packages is not required to purchase a separate resident fishing license.

Non-Resident Fishing Licenses

Required of all non-residents who fish in the public waters of Texas. Licenses/Packages are not required if you are a:

• non-resident 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 64 years of age or older.

Fishing Packages

A variety of fishing packages are offered from which the public may select based on the type of fishing (freshwater, saltwater, or both) and duration of license desired.

License Year Fishing Packages provide a resident, senior resident, special resident, or non-resident fishing license valid from the date of sale to August 31, 2008 and either a freshwater stamp endorsement, a saltwater stamp endorsement with a red drum tag, or both stamp endorsements valid for the same time period.

Senior Resident Fishing Packages are available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years if age and was born on or after Sept. 1, 1930. The packages include a senior resident fishing license, and either a freshwater stamp endorsement, a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag, or both depending on the package selected.

Special Resident All-Water Fishing License is available to any Texas resident who is legally blind. Stamp endorsements are not required for this license. One red drum tag shall be available at no additional charge.

One-Day All-Water Fishing License includes resident or non-resident fishing license valid for the selected day or days purchased. Stamp endorsements are not required for this license. Consecutive days may be bought at the time of purchase. One red drum tag (Item 598) shall be available at no additional charge with the purchase of the first one-day license only.

Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package (available only to Texas residents) includes a resident fishing license, a freshwater stamp endorsement and a saltwater stamp endorsement with a red drum tag, all valid from the date of purchase through the end of the purchase month of the next license year.

Fishing Licenses and Fees

Resident

• Freshwater Package - $28
• Saltwater Package - $33
• All-Water Package - $38
• Senior Freshwater Package - $11
• Senior Saltwater Package - $16
• Senior All-Water Package - $21
• Special Resident All-Water License (for legally blind) - $6
• Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package - $45
• One-Day All-Water License - $10

Non-Resident

• Freshwater Package - $55
• Saltwater Package - $60
• All-Water Package - $65
• One-Day All-Water License - $15

Please note that if you own any valid freshwater fishing package, you will be able to purchase a saltwater stamp endorsement, and conversely, if you own any valid saltwater fishing package you will be able to purchase a freshwater stamp endorsement.

Sport Oyster Boat License

Required when using a sport oyster dredge or tongs to take oysters

• Resident (Type 328): $12 - For boats registered in Texas or having a U.S. Coast Guard document that shows the owner's address is in Texas.
• Non-resident (Type 428): $48

Fishing Guide License

Required for any person who for compensation, accompanies, assists, or transports any person engaged in fishing in the waters of the state.

• $125 for operating as a resident or non-resident fishing guide in the fresh waters of the state. (Type 600 Resident; Type 700 Non-Resident)
• $200 for operating as a resident fishing guide in the salt waters or both salt and fresh waters of the state (Type 610 Resident)
• $1,000 for operating as a non-resident fishing guide in salt waters or both salt and fresh waters of the state (Type 710 Non-Resident).