Texas parks and wildlife fish and game

A saltwater endorsement is required to fish in coastal waters; a freshwater endorsement is required for inland waters. For details and exceptions, see license fees and packages. Note : A hunting license is required to hunt non-protected turtles and frogs. Includes hybrids and subspecies of listed fish. Game fish may be taken only by pole and line, except as otherwise provided in this guide. Although it is legal to place an identification tag use caution as tags can damage fish on the exterior of a fish and release it back into public waters, it is unlawful to release a fish with a device or substance implanted or attached to produce an audible, visual, or electronic signal used to monitor, track, follow, or in any manner aid in locating it.

It is unlawful to leave edible fish or bait fish taken from the public waters of the state to die without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait. Fish caught and immediately released are not considered to be in possession. While fishing, it is illegal to be in possession of more fish than the daily bag limit or fish that are within a protected length limit.

In order to verify length and species, a fish caught may not have the head or tail removed and may not be filleted until an angler finally lands the catch on the mainland, a peninsula, or barrier island not including jetties or piers and does not transport the catch by boat. For broadbill swordfish and king mackerel, the head OR tail may be removed but the remainder of the carcass must remain intact and may not be filleted.

For sharks, ONLY the head may be removed. How we melted snow for water and sat in our cars to run the heater and check the outside world on our phones. How the birds frantically mobbed our feeders when snow blanketed every morsel of natural food and how every green thing looked dead when the snow finally melted. Visit outdoorannual. The app shows location-based info on hunting seasons and nearby waterbodies, plus the ability to look up current and past license purchases.

Fishing is a fun, affordable way for families and friends to spend time together outdoors. Try fishing for free without a fishing license in state parks, or buy your fishing license to help support healthy fish populations and their habitats. Invasive species like giant salvinia and zebra mussels can ruin fishing, boating and swimming for everyone. You can't always tell if a lake is infested with invasive species, and even a small piece left on your boat or gear can infest another lake.

That's why it's so important to always clean drain and dry your boat, trailer and gear before traveling from lake to lake. At the Texas Big Game Awards, it's great to harvest a huge trophy, but the real winner is wildlife conservation. Enjoy a full year of our award-winning photos, travel recommendations, and much more! Plus, the digital subscription includes more than articles and future updates while the subscription is active. Public Notice.

Comment on Proposed Regulations and Transactions. Now Stocking Trout! Online Boat Registration Renew registration, obtain replacement documents and more online.