Texas fishing licenses are issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This guide explains how to buy, renew, or reprint your Texas fishing license online, what it costs, how saltwater licensing works, and what Texas fishing rules require.
Visit the official Texas fishing license page →
Quick Texas Fishing License Information
| Category | Texas Fishing License Details |
|---|---|
| Issued By | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) |
| Online Purchase Available? | Yes — txfgsales.com |
| Digital Licenses Accepted? | Yes — for select license types |
| Minimum License Age | 17 years old |
| Resident Freshwater Package | $30.00 |
| Resident All-Water Package | $40.00 |
| Nonresident Freshwater Package | $58.00 |
| Nonresident All-Water Package | $68.00 |
| License Year | Date of sale through August 31 |
| Online/Phone Admin Fee | $5.00 |
| Saltwater Fishing Covered? | Requires saltwater package, all-water package, or saltwater endorsement |
Always verify current pricing through the official TPWD website before purchasing. Texas license fees, endorsements, tags, and online transaction fees can change periodically.
How to Buy a Texas Fishing License Online
Texas fishing licenses can be purchased online through the official Texas License Connection at txfgsales.com. You can also buy by phone at (800) 895-4248 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM CST) or in person at approximately 1,700 retail locations statewide. A $5.00 administrative fee applies to all online and phone purchases.
- Visit the official Texas License Connection — Go to txfgsales.com.
- Choose the correct license package — Select freshwater, saltwater, all-water, short-term, resident, or nonresident options.
- Enter your identification information — Provide the required personal and residency details.
- Complete payment online — A $5.00 administrative fee applies to online and phone transactions.
- Save, print, or display your license — Digital licenses may be used immediately for select license types; not all purchases are fully digital.
Buy a Texas fishing license online at txfgsales.com →
Texas Fishing License Costs
Texas fishing license costs vary based on residency, age, license package, endorsements, and license duration. All standard packages are valid from the date of sale through August 31. Packages include required endorsements — you do not need to buy them separately when purchasing a full package.
| License Package | Resident Fee | Senior Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Fishing Package | $30.00 | $12.00 | $58.00 |
| Saltwater Fishing Package | $35.00 | $17.00 | $63.00 |
| All-Water Fishing Package | $40.00 | $22.00 | $68.00 |
| Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package | $47.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 1-Day All-Water License | $11.00 | N/A | $16.00 |
| Special Resident All-Water License (legally blind) | $7.00 | N/A | N/A |
| Lake Texoma License | $12.00 | N/A | $12.00 |
Senior packages are available to Texas residents age 65 or older who were born on or after January 1, 1931. Online and phone purchases include a $5.00 administrative fee. Always verify current prices through TPWD before purchasing.
See our fishing license cost by state guide for nationwide comparisons.
Texas Fishing Endorsements and Tags
Endorsements are required in addition to a fishing license if you fish specific water types. When you purchase a full freshwater, saltwater, or all-water package, the required endorsements are automatically included. If you hold a base fishing license only, you must add the appropriate endorsement.
- Freshwater Fishing Endorsement — $5.00; required to fish public fresh waters; included in freshwater, all-water, and lifetime packages
- Saltwater Fishing Endorsement — $10.00; required to fish public salt waters; includes a Red Drum Tag and Spotted Seatrout Tag; included in saltwater, all-water, and lifetime packages
Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout Tags
A Red Drum Tag is required to keep one red drum longer than 28 inches per license year. A Spotted Seatrout Tag is required to keep one spotted seatrout longer than 28 inches per license year. Both tags are included at no additional charge with any package or endorsement that includes the saltwater fishing endorsement.
- Bonus Red Drum Tag — $3.00; allows one additional oversized red drum per license year; limit one per angler
- Exempt Angler Red Drum Tag — $3.00; for anglers who are exempt from license requirements (under 17, etc.) but want to keep an oversized red drum
- Exempt Angler Spotted Seatrout Tag — $3.00; same as above for oversized seatrout
Texas Saltwater Fishing License
Texas has separate freshwater and saltwater licensing requirements. A freshwater fishing package alone does not cover saltwater fishing in Texas. Anglers fishing public salt water need the correct saltwater coverage through TPWD.
If you plan to fish the Gulf of Mexico, Texas bays, tidal waters, coastal rivers, Galveston Bay, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, South Padre Island, or other saltwater areas, you generally need one of the following:
- Saltwater Fishing Package — for anglers fishing saltwater only ($35.00 resident / $63.00 nonresident); includes Red Drum Tag and Spotted Seatrout Tag
- All-Water Fishing Package — covers both freshwater and saltwater fishing ($40.00 resident / $68.00 nonresident); includes Red Drum Tag and Spotted Seatrout Tag
- Freshwater package plus Saltwater Endorsement — add the $10.00 saltwater endorsement to an existing freshwater package; includes Red Drum Tag and Spotted Seatrout Tag
See our saltwater fishing license guide for more information.
Texas Short-Term and 1-Day Fishing Licenses
Texas offers short-term licenses for visitors, tourists, and occasional anglers. The 1-day all-water license covers both freshwater and saltwater and does not require a separate endorsement.
- Resident 1-Day All-Water License — $11.00
- Nonresident 1-Day All-Water License — $16.00
Consecutive days may be purchased at the time of purchase. One Red Drum Tag and one Spotted Seatrout Tag are available at no additional charge with a 1-day all-water license.
Traveling to Texas to fish? See our fishing license for visitors guide.
Year-from-Purchase All-Water License
Texas also offers a resident year-from-purchase all-water fishing license for $47.00. Unlike standard packages that expire August 31, this license is valid from the date of purchase through the end of the same purchase month in the following license year. It includes a freshwater endorsement and a saltwater endorsement with Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout tags. This option may be a better value for Texas residents buying late in the license year.
Lake Texoma License
Texas and Oklahoma share Lake Texoma. A special Lake Texoma License ($12.00) allows a person to fish in both the Texas and Oklahoma portions of Lake Texoma without purchasing a separate Texas or Oklahoma fishing license. It is valid through December 31 following the date of issuance and is available to both residents and nonresidents.
Note: Texas residents age 65 or older do not need this license to fish in the Oklahoma portion of Lake Texoma. The Lake Texoma License is only valid on Lake Texoma.
Why Buying Online Is the Fastest Option
- Immediate access for digital licenses — Select fully digital license types are available immediately through the Texas Hunt & Fish app
- No travel required — Skip the trip to a sporting goods store or TPWD office
- 24/7 availability — Buy online anytime at txfgsales.com
- Phone option available — Call (800) 895-4248 Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM CST
- Easy account access — Return to your account for license records and eligible reprints
How to Renew a Texas Fishing License Online
Most standard Texas annual fishing license packages expire on August 31. New licenses for the following license year typically go on sale August 15. Renewal is available online through txfgsales.com or by phone at (800) 895-4248.
- Visit txfgsales.com
- Log in to your Texas licensing account
- Select your renewal license package
- Complete payment online (a $5.00 administrative fee applies)
- Save, print, or display your renewed license as allowed
For additional guidance, see our fishing license renewal guide, renew fishing license online guide, and fishing license expiration guide.
How to Reprint a Texas Fishing License
Lost or destroyed Texas fishing licenses, packages, or endorsements can be replaced at any license sales location by signing an Application for Replacement License affidavit. TPWD replacement fees range from $3.00 to $10.00 depending on the item.
- Visit any authorized TPWD license sales location
- Sign the Application for Replacement License affidavit
- Pay the applicable replacement fee ($3.00–$10.00)
- Receive your replacement license
Note: You must have your physical license for any activity requiring tags, unless you purchased a fully digital license that specifically authorizes electronic tagging. Saving a digital copy or PDF when you purchase online is strongly recommended.
See our reprint fishing license guide and replace lost fishing license guide.
Who Needs a Texas Fishing License?
Most anglers age 17 and older need a valid Texas fishing license while fishing public waters. Texas requires the correct freshwater or saltwater endorsement — or a package that includes it — depending on where you fish. A fishing license is required for fish, mussels, clams, crayfish, and other aquatic life in public waters. (Note: turtles and frogs require a hunting license, not a fishing license.)
The following do NOT need a Texas fishing license:
- Children under 17 — no license required (but Exempt Angler Tags are needed to keep oversized red drum or seatrout)
- Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 — exempt from license requirements
- Persons with an intellectual disability fishing under medically approved therapy or direct family supervision (with required documentation)
- Louisiana residents age 65+ who possess a valid Louisiana Recreational Fishing License
- Oklahoma residents age 65+
Related guides:
- Do You Need a Fishing License?
- Do Kids Need a Fishing License?
- Fishing License Age Requirements
- Senior Fishing License Guide
Texas Senior Fishing Licenses
Texas residents age 65 or older who were born on or after January 1, 1931 qualify for reduced-fee senior fishing packages through TPWD. Senior packages include the same endorsements as standard packages at a significantly lower price.
- Senior Freshwater Package — $12.00
- Senior Saltwater Package — $17.00
- Senior All-Water Package — $22.00
Texas Nonresident Fishing License
Out-of-state anglers fishing in Texas generally need a nonresident fishing license package. Texas attracts visiting anglers for Gulf Coast fishing, Galveston Bay, South Padre Island, major reservoirs, bass fishing, catfish, redfish, speckled trout, and year-round fishing opportunities.
Common nonresident options include a freshwater package at $58.00, a saltwater package at $63.00, an all-water package at $68.00, and a 1-day all-water license at $16.00. All online/phone purchases include a $5.00 administrative fee.
Fishing across state lines? See our fishing license reciprocity guide.
Texas Fishing License Expiration
Most standard Texas annual fishing license packages are valid from the date of sale through August 31 of the same license year. New licenses for the following season typically go on sale August 15.
Texas also offers a resident Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package ($47.00) valid from the purchase date through the end of the same purchase month in the following license year — useful for residents buying late in the season.
Related guides:
Texas Free Fishing Day 2026
Texas offers one Free Fishing Day each year — the first Saturday in June. In 2026, Texas Free Fishing Day is June 6, 2026. On that day, everyone can fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license or endorsements.
Free Fishing Day removes the license requirement only. All other fishing regulations still apply, including size limits, bag limits, slot limits, and species-specific regulations. Exempt angler tags for red drum and spotted seatrout are still required for eligible anglers wishing to keep oversized fish.
See our free fishing days guide for more state-by-state information.
Texas Fishing License Rules and Exemptions
- Carry proof of your license — Texas anglers must provide proof when requested by a game warden
- Use the right endorsement or package — Freshwater and saltwater fishing require the correct endorsement or package; buying a full package is the simplest approach
- Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout tags required — Included with saltwater packages; needed to keep oversized fish
- Digital licenses available for select types — TPWD supports digital licenses through the Texas Hunt & Fish app; not all license types are fully digital
- Physical license required for tagging activities — unless you purchased a fully digital license authorizing electronic tagging
- Free Fishing Day — First Saturday in June (June 6, 2026); all other regulations still apply
- Follow species and area regulations — Daily limits, size limits, slot limits, and seasonal rules vary by species and water body
- Licenses are nonrefundable — License fees are not refundable, exchangeable, or transferable
Before fishing, review current regulations through the official Texas Outdoor Annual fishing regulations published by TPWD.
Related guides:
- Fishing Regulations by State
- Free Fishing Days in Every State
- What Happens If You Fish Without a License?
Where to Buy a Texas Fishing License In Person
Texas fishing licenses are available from approximately 1,700 authorized TPWD license agents throughout the state, including sporting goods stores, gun shops, department stores, bait and tackle shops, and grocery stores.
- Walmart sporting goods counters
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Bass Pro Shops
- Cabela’s
- Local bait and tackle shops
- Authorized TPWD license agents statewide
Vendor participation varies by location. Use the official TPWD retailer locator to find an authorized agent near you.
See our guide on where to buy a fishing license near you.
How This Texas Fishing License Guide Is Maintained
Texas fishing license fees, regulations, exemptions, and digital licensing rules can change periodically. This guide is reviewed and updated using official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) information and current Texas fishing regulations. BuyFishingLicense.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with TPWD or any government agency. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
Related Texas Fishing Guides
- Online Fishing License Directory
- Where to Buy a Fishing License Near Me
- Saltwater Fishing License Guide
- Fishing License for Visitors
- How Much Is a Fishing License?
- Fishing License Cost by State
- Fishing License Renewal
- Reprint Fishing License
- Free Fishing Days in Every State
- Does Walmart Sell Fishing Licenses?