Can we get a ruling here?

We are fishing Texoma again this weekend. We have bought a Lake Texoma fishing license and sometimes, we haven't. We have a Texas fishing license and we will ONLY be fishing the Texas side. Do we need a "Lake Texoma Fishing License?" There are numerous contradictory items online.


https://www.laketexoma.com/news--outdoors--Do-You-Need-A-Lake-Texoma-Fishing-License/7192#:~:text=A%20Lake%20Texoma%20License%2C%20or%20%E2%80%9CType%20208%20License%E2%80%9D%2C,in%20order%20to%20simplify%20fishing%20on%20Lake%20Texoma.

https://texoma-fishing.com/lake-texoma-fishing-license/

https://buckleystriperguide.com/what-fishing-license-do-i-need-for-lake-texoma/

Yes, no matter if you stay on the TX side you NEED the Texoma license.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/texoma/

It’s $12 bucks and you can buy it on your phone. It’s a lot less hassle to just get it and not have to worry about it. With that said, if you are sure that you are going to stay on the Texas side a Texas license will suffice.

How long has the Texoma license been in effect? When I was in the service, active-duty personnel weren't required to get even a state license?

It's more than obvious that there is a lot of misunderstanding about this. I am going with the information stated on the TPWD website. I will not be buying a Texoma license. It is a shame that Oklahoma and Texas do not have the same understanding as Texas and Louisiana.

When in doubt buy the license. It will be cheaper than a ticket.

If you're fishing the shoreline, then I wouldn't bother with a Texoma license. But if you're going to be in a boat anywhere on the main lake I'd get it.

The Oklahoma border runs real close to the Texas shore in a lot of spots. The game wardens know where the border line is. Better safe than sorry.

The Oklahoma border runs real close to the Texas shore in a lot of spots. The game wardens know where the border line is. Better safe than sorry.[/quote]

^^THIS right here^^

I've never fished any Texas / Louisiana water. Just out of curiosity, how do things work on those waters as compared to Texoma?


I know you've already said that you are not going to get a Texoma license. That's going to stink when you see those birds diving and all that top water action going on the other side of the river and you know you can't go fish over there.

Not if on Texas side while fishing

You are one cheapskate, it's $12 which goes towards the resource.

That's wrong. If you stay on the Texas side of the river channel a Texas license is enough.

When I lived on the lake I often bought a Texas and a Oklahoma license and no Texoma license.

Maybe I didn't phrase this carefully enough. If you're fishing ON the shoreline i.e. a bank fisherman not using a boat.

When u hit 65 you no longer have to have one.

Somebody jump me here if I am wrong, but I think it also matters where you are running your boat. If you are motoring across the state line with fish in your possession, when the OK warden waves you over it doesn't really matter that you were on the TX side when you caught the fish.

Bottom line IMO is that for $12 you can save yourself having to worry about interpreting all this mess. Pretty easy choice for me.

Good thing I don't keep any.