Fishing License

I'm new to Texas and need to know if a license is required if fishing only from the banks?

A liscense is required to fish any texas waters. Bank, boat,dock, wade. Any fishing period requires that you have a valid Texas fishing liscense.

Only exception to this rule is if you are fishing from the bank in a state park. No license needed there.

i would say get your fishing license and you have no worries at all about fishing anywhere in Texas. that is just my opinion... i would not take any chances period. fines can get pretty expensive.

Yep, was caught with an expired license couple of weeks ago. Fine depends on county judge. Mine was $109.

ur lucky, last time I got caught without one it was $205, got caught on september 3rd lol.

I might be wrong but cant you fish with a cane pole and live bait without a fishing lic.

I would go ahead and get a lic. the money is suppose to go back into a fund to restock lakes and stuff...

bigcatter, alot of rules have changed and the cane pole rule is one of them. My best advice is for anyone that does not have a updated rule book should go to their nearest sporting store and pick up one

Born before 1930 : no license needed.

Under 12 : nope.

Bob Sandlin State Park : no.

"Special Catch" days (for young children and the physically / mentally handicapped on certain lakes at specified times) : no.

Everything else: check "the Book".

Under 17, no license required:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/general/fish_licenses/

Saw that in the book this morning. You beat me to it. ;o)

Is $28 worth the gamble to get nailed with a $100+ fine? Better safe than sorry

Free Sportfishing Day events around the state will highlight National Fishing and Boating Week, allowing anglers to fish any public waters in Texas without a fishing license on Saturday, June 6.

While fishing from the bank or dock that is part of a "Texas State Parks" or an interior pond in those parks, No License is Required. Of course, you have to pay a per person fee to get in one.

Children under 17 are exempt from having a Fishing License on public waters.

Be glad you are "not" old enough to qualify for the "Too Old To Need One" category.

One misconception still floating around, is that you must have a fishing license to fish "Private Farm Ponds". There is no license requirement to fish them.

When license is required, you must posess a valid Drivers License or other state issued ID.

Good Luck,

W.P. Minor,
Chief of Law Enforcement,
TCFWSD#1 Lake Bob Sandlin