Texas offers many great opportunities for fishing, whether saltwater or freshwater fishing, no matter where you are from or how old you are. However, you must know the fishing laws in Texas to avoid the risk of penalties, fines, or even jail time. That is where Boat Stop Marina comes in. We know the fishing laws and can help you understand them so you can avoid potential setbacks in your fishing excursion. Let’s look at them now.
General Fishing License Requirements
Texas requires fishing licenses with the appropriate endorsement for all residents and non-residents to fish in public waters. Licenses are valid from the purchase date to August 31 of the same year. If you purchase a freshwater package, you can buy the saltwater endorsement and vice versa.
Exceptions for Texas Residents
A fishing license is not required for residents under 17 years of age, a person born before January 1, 1931, a person with an intellectual disability and fishing is a part of their therapy, or a person with an intellectual disability fishing under the supervision of a licensed angler.
Exception for Non-Residents
As a non-resident of Texas, you do not require a fishing license if you are under 17 years of age, if you are a resident of Louisiana with a valid Louisiana Recreational fishing license and are 65 or older, or an Oklahoma resident 65 or older.
Fishing License Packages
You can choose from three types of fishing license packages: saltwater, freshwater, and all-water. The saltwater and freshwater packages come with a fishing license and the appropriate endorsement. The saltwater endorsement also comes with a Red Drum tag.
Species-Specific Regulations
If you are inshore saltwater fishing, certain fish have bag and length limits. For example, Red Drums have a minimum length requirement of 20 inches and a maximum length of 28 inches. The bag limit for Red Drums is three per day. If you are offshore deep-sea fishing, most of these fish have limits that follow federal regulations.
If you are freshwater fishing in Texas, bag and length limits also apply. For example, White Bass have a minimum length requirement of 10 inches with no maximum length. The bag limit for White Bass is 25 per day.
Bag and size limit regulations help maintain fish populations and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Fishing Seasons and Closures
Fishing laws in Texas list seasons and closures to protect fish during vulnerable spawning times and help maintain healthy fish populations so that you and others can continue fishing year after year. Texas has different closures and seasons for different species and the water where you are fishing. Season closures for specific fish mean that you can’t catch that type of fish during that time.
Generally, there are no official closed seasons for freshwater or saltwater fishing in Texas. However, Texas may implement closure on certain fish species if the quota for that period has been met, for example, they do this with Bluefin Tuna.
Gear and Method Regulations
According to the fishing laws in Texas, you can use many different methods for fishing.
Legal Devices and Methods
Here are a few examples of devices and methods that are legal in Texas.
- Pole and Line: A person can use a pole with an attached line and hook, including a rod with a reel, to catch gamefish and nongame fish.
- Cast Net: A net thrown by hand over a designated area can be used for nongame fish, crab, crayfish, and shrimp, though some restrictions apply.
- Jugline: A fishing line with five or fewer hooks is attached to a floating device with the appropriate gear tag. It can be used in freshwater only to catch nongame fish and specific kinds of catfish.
There are many more legal fishing devices and methods available. Check with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure there are no exceptions or restrictions on your preferred method or gear.
Exceptions and Restrictions
Here are a few of the exceptions and restrictions on fishing devices and methods:
- Unless otherwise noted, you can fish with multiple poles or other devices.
- If you are freshwater fishing, you can fish with multiple devices. However, having more than 100 hooks on the devices is unlawful.
- When freshwater fishing, if you are using a spear or spear gun for gamefish, you must use a handheld device underwater to take fish.
These are just a few of the limitations you may encounter when reviewing fishing laws in Texas.
Penalties and Enforcement
If you violate any of the fishing laws in Texas, you may be penalized depending on the severity of the violation and the number of offenses you have committed. For example, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and get fined.
Class C misdemeanor fines are between $25 and $500. Fines for Class B misdemeanors are between $200 and $2000, and you can receive jail time up to six months. A Class A misdemeanor includes fines of between $500 and $4000, and you can receive up to a year in jail time.
You could also be fined with state felonies if you are fishing in private waterways without consent from the landowner, and it is your second offense. Felony penalties include fines between $1,500 and $10,000, and you can receive up to two years of jail time. You can also get your fishing license suspended or revoked for up to five years and forfeit your fishing gear.
How To Stay Updated on Fishing Laws
To stay updated on fishing laws in Texas, contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. You can also visit them online for new updates to fishing laws. You could subscribe to their newsletter for information on law changes, or follow them on their social media channels.
Texas Outdoor Annual App
Another way to stay informed is to download the Texas Outdoor Annual App. This app shows you everything from bag and size limits to where to find a retailer that sells fishing licenses.
Learn the Fishing Laws in Texas with Boat Stop Marina
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is your best resource for fishing laws, but you can also ask experienced anglers, fishing shops, or marinas. If you review and follow the laws, no trouble will arise. If you have questions or want to know more about the fishing laws in Texas before hitting the water, contact us at Boat Stop Marina today.