I've been approached twice in 32 years of frequent adult fishing. Never at a pond. Both times I had a license and the cop, who didn't seem to like my no haircuts, no shave, heavy metal shirt look, seemed angry I was in compliance. Elsewhere, I'm trying to achieve 10 things men like me tend to enjoy in each of the 50 states and 13 Canadian provinces and territories. It's been the greatest adventure of my life. Three of those things involve my girlfriend and thankfully require no licenses. One of those things is to catch a fish, with 21 states and one province bagged so far. The vast majority of those catches were unlicensed - if I'm trying to catch and release a couple of fish, then move on, I'm not buying a license 'cuz it's insane. I suffer foolishness poorly. When "poaching," I pick up some trash to kind of square things away. If I launch a boat, fish for more than a short while, or launch my boat, I always buy a license. At this point, I'm way ahead of the game because nonresident licenses are often frustratingly costly, so if I get caught one day, no biggie. I'll pay the fine without any rancor and move on.

I have, though, called Operation Game Thief many times, mostly due to illegal netting and keeping undersized fish.

Hmm, Mr. BVWard,
That is an interesting take.

Never buy a license because fisherman "rarely" get checked. If you do get checked and have to pay a find, it's probably going to be cheaper than all the licenses a man will buy over a lifetime.

From what I've read, a man most likely will go an entire lifetime and maybe, maybe get checked about 3 times at most?

...interesting...! IN65

Addendum: Of course, I'm not much of a law breaker, but I also think it's ridiculous that we have no freedoms in this country, such as having to pay to fish a public pond or river that belongs to Mother Nature.

It's the equivalent of having to ask permission from a bunch of fuddy-duddies/HOA if you can paint your house number on the curb. We have to ask permission for just about everything!

Regarding this topic, I've got a month to wait if I choose to buy a license, but Breckenridge in Richardson and Oak Point in Plano are gnawing at me, daring me to come catch something now!

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I always have a TX license because I fish a lot here. Other states, again, no thanks unless I'm going to keep fish, fish a lot, launch a boat, etc. It simply is not reasonable to make someone buy a license for an hour of chunking a spinnerbait and releasing all fish. I aim to be a good citizen but have no problems with breaking unjust laws with impunity and glee.

I say go hit your parks. Weekdays and evenings are the least risky. I've fished tons of ponds in Plano and Richardson and have NEVER been bothered. If you get caught, explain your position calmly and respectfully and if you get ticketed, immediately get a fishing ilcense and visit the judge. Interestingly, if you get busted in Oklahoma, you can buy a license right there from the game warden at an inflated cost. That's pretty cool.

I share your disdain for the absence of freedom and reason in certain matters. Tight lines!

I've been checked three times in the past year

You can buy a license now that�ll go through all of next year. You only pay for the two months you�ll use up to Sept 1st

I have been checked once in 56 years of fishing. This was 6 years ago and my license expired the day after I was checked.

I have been asked multiple times, but only checked once. I was on Bob Hall Pier down in Padre. I was 15 and the warden asked me if I had my license, I said no. He asked how old I was, I asked what time it was. At midnight I would have been 16. He chuckled at my response. Gave me his card and said that I could fish all that week without a license. If anyone questioned it just give them his card to call him. He said happy birthday and walked off. All other times wardens would walk by and ask if I had a license I would respond yep and they would just keep walking by. Probably because I don't keep any fish so they don't waste their time with me.

Mr. Patrynflyr,
Are you saying you can buy a license right now, only pay for the rest of July and August, but that the license will be valid until August 30, 2020?
How much is a license for 1 and 1/2 months?

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No, you'll just get 1 1/2 months. I believe it's not until August when they finally flip the calendar and your purchase will get you more than 12 months of the, uh, right to fish in your own public waters, LOL. You can get a year from purchase license at an inflated cost if you're too far from the end of August for a regular license that expires Aug 30 to be palatable. That Aug 30 foolishness is yet another complaint I have about fishing in Texas. Some states do it that way, some are a bit less on the silly side. I think the year from purchase license is good for one year plus to the end of the month, so if you get it early in the month you can get 13 months out of it. There isn't a 1 1/2 month option - it's either short term or long - one day, until Aug 30, or one year + end of month. Ludicrous, I tells ya. Tight lines!

They just check you because they are amazed at all the interesting gear and rods you use.

You can purchase a one day license or a year to date license as well. A year to date license cost more than a regular license that you would get renewed in August but it will be good for one year until purchase date.
A one day license is $11
A year to date license is $47 and is also good for salt water as well
A regular license is $30 last day of August and is really not much money just don�t buy it now wait until September 1st. If you do the math it only cost $2.50 a month to fish for a year. Like .08 cents a day. lol

get a fiscal license .it is good from date purchased till next calendar year