If you’re preparing for a fishing trip in Texas, you’ll need to acquire a valid fishing license to stay on the legal side. We will look at every cost for a Texas Fishing license.
On average, a Texas fishing license costs between $35 to $45, which is relatively cheap compared to other states. The exact price depends on the license type if you’re a resident and need an endorsement.
How Much Does a Texas Fishing License Cost?
The cost of a fishing license here varies depending on the type of fishing license you’re aiming for and whether or not you’re a resident. That said, buying a Texas fishing license costs an average of $35 to $45.
Fishing licenses in texas can be categorized according to the following criteria:
- Type of water:
- Freshwater fishing licenses
- Saltwater fishing licenses
- All Water fishing licenses
- Individual’s residential status:
- Resident
- non-resident
- Duration of license:
- One-day
- End of License Year package
- Year from Purchase package
- Lifetime
In addition to an appropriate fishing license, you’re also required to obtain saltwater or freshwater endorsement if you plan on fishing or taking fish, clams, crayfish, mussels, or other aquatic life in Texas public waters.
To simplify things, the following sections will disclose the cost of different fishing licenses according to the type of water.
Freshwater Fishing Licenses
Resident, non-resident, and senior freshwater fishing licenses are required in the state along with a freshwater fishing endorsement. These licenses are valid from your purchase date until the 31st of August of the same year.
| License | Cost |
| Freshwater Fishing Endorsement | $5.00 |
| Resident Freshwater Fishing Package | $30.00 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Package | $58.00 |
| Senior Resident Freshwater Fishing Package | $12.00 |
As residents of Texas, we can also buy a freshwater fishing license bundled with a hunting license. This is called a combo package, costing $50.00 for regular folks or $16.00 for seniors.
Saltwater Fishing Licenses
Resident, non-resident, and senior saltwater fishing licenses are required here along with a saltwater fishing endorsement. These licenses are valid from your purchase date until the 31st of August of the same year.
| License | Cost |
| Saltwater Fishing Endorsement | $10.00 |
| Resident Saltwater Fishing Package | $35.00 |
| Non-Resident Saltwater Fishing Package | $63.00 |
| Senior Resident Saltwater Fishing Package | $17.00 |
As for residents, we can also buy a combo saltwater fishing and hunting license package for $55.00. If you’re a senior, it’ll cost you $21.00.
All Water Fishing Licenses
For this fishing license, you’re not required to buy an endorsement.
| License | Cost |
| Resident All Water Fishing Package | $40.00 |
| Resident One-Day All-Water Fishing | $11.00 |
| Resident Year-From-Purchase All Water Package | $47.00 |
| Non-Resident All Water Fishing Package | $68.00 |
| Non-Resident One-Day All-Water Fishing | $16.00 |
| Senior Resident All Water Fishing Package | $22.00 |
A one-day fishing license grants you a resident or non-resident fishing license that you use for the purchase day or a selected day. If you want your fishing license to be valid for multiple consecutive days, you can buy several one-day fishing licenses at the same time.
As residents of the Lone Star State, we can buy a combo all-water fishing and hunting license package for $60.00. If you’re a senior, it’ll cost you $26.00.
Requirements to Obtain a Texas Fishing License
If you intend to fish in the state’s public water and you’re 16 or older, you’re required to get a valid local fishing license. Additionally, you may need to purchase a freshwater or saltwater fishing endorsement if you’re planning to take or try taking fish from public freshwater or saltwater in Texas respectively.
That said, residents aren’t required to obtain a Texas fishing license if they meet one of the following conditions:
- They’re younger than 17 years.
- They were born before the 1st of January 1931.
- They’re fishing in private waters.
- They’re fishing on Texas’s free fishing day.
- They’re intellectually disabled and fishing under special supervision or as part of medical therapy.
Also, non-residents aren’t required to get a Texas fishing license if they’re under 17, an Oklahoma resident who’s 65 or older, or a Louisiana resident who’s 65 or older.
Where To Buy a Texas Fishing License
You can buy a Texas fishing license online from the official website of Texas Parks and Wildlife, over the phone by calling (800) 895-4248, or by visiting the nearest approved local fishing license vendor.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay an administrative fee of $5 for online and over-the-phone purchases.
Lifetime Texas Fishing Licenses Cost
A lifetime Texas fishing license costs $1,000 and is valid for the lifetime of the license holder. It’s available only for residents and can be purchased through an application.
Texas Fishing License FAQs
What is the age for “senior” for a fishing license?
Senior fishing licenses and packages in Texas are available for residents older than 65 years and were born on or after the 1st of January 1931.
What is the Length of “year from purchase” fishing license?
Senior fishing licenses and packages in Texas are available for residents older than 65 years and were born on or after the 1st of January 1931.
What is a special Resident All-Water Fishing License?
Any legally blind Texas resident can obtain this type of fishing license. It costs $7.00, includes a single red drum tag, and doesn’t require endorsements.
References;
- All prices of Texas fishing licenses: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/licenses/public/recreational/index.phtml
- The nearest approved Texas fishing license vendor: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/licenses/online_sales/find_retailer.phtml
- A lifetime Texas fishing license costs $1,000: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/lifetime-licenses
