Texas Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026

Fishing in Texas is as thrilling as you’d expect.   With thousands of lakes, dozens of  rivers, and over 360 miles of coastline,   the Lone Star State boasts some of the most  exciting fishing opportunities in the US. Plus, everything is bigger in Texas, and that  includes the fish that roam the state’s waters   as well. From catching Alligator Gar  along brackish estuaries and rivers,   to chasing massive Tunas in the Gulf – Texas  is a sportfishing haven for all anglers alike. In this video we’ll address some of the best  spots to go fishing and seasonality for some   of the top catches in the state. We’ll speak  to some of our local captains who will fill   you in on what you can expect and how to best  plan for your trip. But before we dive in,   be sure to like and subscribe for more updates  on the hottest fishing spots across the country!  If you’re not much of a seafarer, but  you’d still like to experience some of   Texas’ many fishing opportunities, you’re  in luck. The Lone Star State has over 7,000   lakes, 14 major rivers, and more  than 80,000 miles of waterways. Most of the lakes in Texas are man-made and  brimming with lots of fish. Their living   conditions are especially perfect for various  Bass species, including Largemouth, Smallmouth,   and even Striped and White Bass. The best time to  go after these fish is in spring when they spawn,   and in summer when they stay closer to shore. For those of you looking to showcase your skills,   there are plenty of Bass fishing competitions  throughout the state where you can win   thousands of dollars in cash. The  Texas State Bass Tournament is just   one of the famous events that anglers from all  over the country come to to take part in. There’s   a great variety of Bassmaster competitions to try  your hand in, no matter your skill level or age. Next on our list is Catfish. Places like  Lake Conroe and Lake Texoma are just   some of the spots where you can target large  specimens. They’re available all year round,   however they’re most active in the winter and  spring. You can find them in lakes and rivers,   and they’re a great target for  beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Other top catches include freshwater  staples such as Crappie, Sunfish, and   last but certainly not least, Alligator Gar. Gar  has got to be the quintessential fish of Texas.   Their weight can reach three digits,  and on top of that, they’re strong   and smart fighters. They’re the perfect target  for anglers looking for their next big challenge. And that’s just scratching the surface  of what fishing in Texas is all about,   because once you start hitting the coastal  waters, it’s a completely different ball game.  When it comes to fishing in Texas,   there’s no need to set aside a whole  day of fishing to start seeing results.   Four-hour trips are long enough to start  reaping the benefits of Texas’ inshore waters. The Texas Coastal Bend is home to some of our  country’s most iconic saltwater favorites,   and they inhabit these waters in great numbers.  One of the most, or perhaps even the most popular   fish in Texas is Redfish. These fish are strong,  there’s lots of them, and they can grow to massive   sizes. They’re available year round but the  best time to target Bull Reds is in the fall.  They typically spawn from  mid-August to mid-October,   moving in from the Gulf to lay their  eggs along the passes and shorelines. Top spots include Galveston, South  Padre Island, and Sabine Pass,   among many others. You can find them  in just about any saltwater environment   and like we mentioned earlier, they’re available  year round. However, sizes, numbers, and where   you’ll find them will depend on the season, so  be sure to check out our Texas Redfish video and   take a look at our blog article for  more information before you head out. Redfish isn’t the only specimen that grows to  impressive sizes. Afterall, this is Texas we’re   talking about. Speckled Trout, also one of Texas’  staple inshore fish, are abundant in these waters.   They’re also a year-round target, but the  best time to go after Gator Trout in the   10-pound range is in the wintertime. You can  also catch Flounder, plenty of Black Drum,   Jack Crevalle, Sheepshead, and even fierce  inshore predators such as Blacktip Shark. Top spots to keep in mind while planning your  trip are Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas,   and South Padre Island. There are hundreds of  local guides and charters along the entire coast,   ready to take you on the adventure  of a lifetime. Especially if you’ve   got your sights set on even deeper waters. Offshore fishing in Texas lives up to its   expectations, because the further out you get,  the bigger the fish. Deep sea fishing in the   Texas Gulf will also produce a multitude of  species. 20–40 miles off the coast, you can   start going after Red Snapper, King Mackerel,  Cobia (locally referred to as Ling), Amberjack,   various Shark species, Sailfish, Mahi  Mahi, Tuna, and the list goes on. Any angler will tell you that one of  the most sought-after fish on this list   is Red Snapper. But what makes Snapper fishing  in Texas so great is the fact that the season is   always open in state waters, which means you can  fish for them up to nine nautical miles from shore   any time of the year. However, according to  locals, the best time to catch a trophy is   during the winter. There are less anglers out  on the water, which means more fish for you. You can find them around reefs and wrecks  in waters as shallow as 50 feet. However,   more often, you’ll need a strong current  and depths reaching up to 600 feet.   Thanks to the amount of underwater  structures located off the coast of Texas,   the state is actually one of the best  places in the Gulf to catch Red Snapper.   Hot spots include Galveston, Port O’Connor, and  Port Mansfield, just to name a few. However,   there are plenty of charters along  the entire coast, ready to put you on. And that’s where FishingBooker comes in,  connecting you to the hundreds of captains   that will show you a good time. Just hit the  link in the description below or download our   App from Google Play or the App Store  to take a look at some of the charters   and start planning your Texas fishing trip today. But before you start packing your bags, there are   a few things you should know prior to hitting the  water. Everyone aged 17 and over needs a license   to fish in Texas. This applies to Texas residents  and out-of-staters alike, whether you’re casting a   line from shore or fishing with a charter. Anyone  in your group who is actively participating needs   a license. This includes netting fish, baiting  hooks – even holding the rod for a few seconds. A lot of anglers come to Texas to fish the state  waters for Red Snapper because as we mentioned   earlier, unlike the federal waters, the state  fishery is open all year. That being said, just be   sure you’re following your captain’s instructions  about catch limits and you’re good to go. If you need more information on getting a  Texas fishing license, you can check out   our video linked in the description below to be  sure you’re fully covered before you head out.  And when you’re finally ready, FishingBooker is  here to help make planning your trip a breeze.   You can find a Texas fishing trip that's perfect  for you and your family by downloading our app   from the Google Play or App Store, or  by simply visiting FishingBooker.com.   With hundreds of local guides, verified  reviews, and hassle-free online bookings,   you'll save time and money, and experience  an exciting day on the water. So go ahead   and download our app or visit us online and  start planning your fishing adventure today!

Howdy folks, my name is Mark and I’m a Creative Content Specialist at FishingBooker, and today we’ll be talking about everything you need to know before you buy a Texas fishing license. Since Texas offers such a wide variety of fishing packages, it’s important to know which one is right for you. So, today we’ll cover the most important things you need to know before you buy a fishing license in the Lone Star State. This includes where you plan to fish, your target species, and your state residency as well. We’ll also cover the various types of fishing licenses that there are, the costs, exceptions, and where you can buy them. Then hopefully, after watching this, you can spend less time looking for answers and more time fishing. Unlike Florida and many other states, Texas fishing licenses are not included in the price of your trip if you’re hopping on a charter or a guide service. Anyone in your group above the age of 17 will need to buy a fishing license when you’re fishing in public state waters. So, this not only applies to fishing with a conventional rod and reel, but also things like bowfishing, Catfish noodling, and even things like netting and dehooking. So just keep that in mind before you hit the water. Also, depending on where you fish, you’ll either need a freshwater or a saltwater endorsement. So, saltwater endorsements cover the Gulf of Mexico and tidal waters, while freshwater endorsements cover rivers, streams, lakes, and any other bodies of fresh water. Also keep in mind, when fishing in federal waters, you’ll need a Texas fishing license if you plan on bringing your fish back to shore. So, if you’re going to enjoy a nice lunch with the family, keep in mind that you will also need to buy a fishing license in Texas. So, Texas fishing licenses are sold in a variety of packages. Prices vary depending on where you plan to fish, how long the license is valid, and whether or not you’re a state resident. If you already own a specific fishing package and you want to add more fish to your bucket list, you have the option to buy individual tags and endorsements. So, for example, if you own a saltwater package and also want to fish in freshwater, you can buy an add-on freshwater endorsement rather than an entire freshwater package. Also, be aware of any additional tags you may need. For example, if you want to keep a Redfish longer than 28”, make sure you have a Red Drum Tag. Saltwater fishing packages actually already include one of these upon purchase. This rule applies to all anglers, including those exempt from carrying a license as well. Once you reel in your catch, just be sure to remove the tag from your license and attach it to your catch immediately. Now, there are some exceptions that exempt people from having to buy a fishing license. Some of these include fishing from banks and piers in Texas State waters, as well as the state’s annual Free Fishing Day, which is the first Saturday of every June. There are also exceptions for persons with mental disabilities who fish under the supervision of a licensed angler as well as disabled veterans who may be entitled to the Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package. There are of course many other exceptions on the book, including one for senior citizens born before January 1st, 1931. This also applies to Oklahoma and Louisiana State residents who are above the age of 65 and have the necessary documentation to prove it. Texas also has mutual fishing license agreements with the states of Oklahoma and Louisiana. So, this means that there are certain waters where residents from each state can fish without having to purchase an additional license. These include waters that span the borders of each state, such as the Sabine River, Caddo Lake, and Toledo Bend Reservoir. If you lose your fishing license, don’t worry, there’s really no need to panic. You can always buy a replacement at any license retailer. You’ll just need to complete an application before purchasing a replacement, and you’re good to go. Last but not least, you’ll need to know where and how to buy a Texas fishing license, obviously. The easiest way is to just buy one online, but you can also purchase them in Park and Wildlife Department offices, and at more than 1,500 retailers statewide. Alright, now that you have all the information you need, you can finally get out there and test out the waters of the Lone Star State! For more information, just be sure to check out our full blog article that goes into more detail about Texas State Fishing Licenses.