Texas Fishing License 2026: Fees, Eligibility & Official TPWD Purchase Guide

Texas fishing licenses run on three package tracks — Freshwater, Saltwater, and All-Water — and every other option (senior, one-day, year-from-purchase, Lake Texoma, military, veteran) sits on top of one of these three. Pick the water type first, then check age and residency rules before you check out.

Most standard packages are valid from the date of purchase through August 31, 2026, the end of the current license year. A new license year begins September 1, 2026; TPWD typically republishes fees at that point, so re-check the official page if you’re buying in late August .

Who needs a license, and who doesn’t

• Anyone fishing Texas public waters needs a resident or non-resident license, with a matching freshwater or saltwater endorsement for the species involved .
• Anglers under 17 (resident or non-resident) are exempt .
• Texas residents whose birth date is before January 1, 1931 are fully exempt from the license requirement — this is a narrow exemption, not a general senior discount .
• Residents 65 or older who were born on or after January 1, 1931 still need a license, but qualify for the reduced-fee senior packages below .
• Non-residents under 17, Louisiana residents 65+ with a valid Louisiana license, and Oklahoma residents 65+ are also exempt .
• On the first Saturday in June each year, no license is required for recreational fishing in public water .

2026 Texas price table

Use the TPWD Fishing Licenses and Packages page for the live, official record.

Source: TPWD official fee schedule and 2025–2026 regulations booklet .

Free and discounted paths people miss

• Active duty military (Item 510/511): Texas residents on full-time active duty, including Reserves and National Guard, get the Super Combo (hunting + all-water fishing) or the All-Water package free at a retailer counter — not available online or by phone .
• Disabled veterans (Item 502): Resident and non-resident veterans with a qualifying VA disability rating get the Super Combo free of charge .
• Legally blind residents: the $7 special all-water license skips endorsement fees entirely, but must be bought in person .

Crabbing and gear rules

Recreational crabbing does not use a separate crab license — it rides on your existing fishing license plus a saltwater endorsement . On top of that:

• No more than 6 crab traps at a time for non-commercial use .
• Traps may only be checked or emptied from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset .
• Traps must carry a gear tag valid for 10 days, attached within 6 inches of the buoy or pier line .
• Traps can’t be placed within 100 feet of another trap, except when secured to a pier or dock .
• Local trap caps apply in some waters (e.g., 3 traps max near the Houston Ship Channel and parts of the San Bernard River) .
• A no-trap window runs February 20 – March 1, 2026 in coastal waters .

Common checkout mistakes

• Buying a Freshwater or Saltwater package when the trip actually crosses both — the All-Water package is the only one that covers both endorsements .
• Assuming any senior gets a free license — only the pre-1931 birth date group is exempt; 65+ born after that date pays the reduced senior fee, not zero .
• Treating Lake Texoma as expiring August 31 like every other package — it actually runs to December 31 .
• Skipping the saltwater endorsement before crabbing, thinking a freshwater package is enough — crabbing specifically requires the saltwater endorsement .
• Trying to buy the active-military or legally-blind licenses online — both require an in-person retailer visit .

FAQs

Which Texas package covers both freshwater and saltwater?
The All-Water package ($40 resident / $68 non-resident) bundles both endorsements into one license .

Do Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need a fishing license?
No — they’re fully exempt by state law. Residents 65+ born on or after that date still need a license, just at the discounted senior rate .

Is Texas crabbing a separate license?
No. Crabbing uses the standard fishing license plus the saltwater endorsement, with additional trap-count, timing, and tagging rules layered on top .

Where do I buy directly from the state?
The TPWD online license portal lists every item number, price, and whether it’s available for online purchase .