If you’re 65 or older and live in Texas, you can usually buy a discounted fishing package instead of paying the standard adult rate. As of 2026-01-19, the main senior options are $12 for a Senior Freshwater Package, $17 for a Senior Saltwater Package, or $22 for a Senior All-Water Package. These packages run through Aug. 31 (the end of the Texas license year).
Official fees and rules change from time to time, so it’s smart to double-check Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) before you buy. See TPWD fishing licenses and packages and the official online license sales page.
Key takeaways
- Texas residents 65+ (born on or after Jan. 1, 1931) can buy senior packages: $12 freshwater, $17 saltwater, $22 all-water.
- Texas residents born before Jan. 1, 1931 are exempt from the fishing license requirement, but certain saltwater species may still require tags.
- Fishing packages include the needed freshwater and/or saltwater endorsements; saltwater packages also include the standard red drum/spotted seatrout tags.
- You can buy licenses online, by phone, at TPWD offices, or at about 1,700–1,800 license retailers; digital licenses must be purchased online.
- Everyone can fish without a license on Free Fishing Day (first Saturday in June), and you can fish year-round without a license inside Texas State Parks (park entry fees still apply).
Age Brackets and Corresponding License Prices
Texas sells “packages” that bundle a fishing license with the right endorsement(s). For seniors, the discounted packages are for Texas residents who are 65+ and born on or after Jan. 1, 1931.
- Senior Freshwater Package: $12 (includes a senior resident fishing license + freshwater endorsement)
- Senior Saltwater Package: $17 (includes a senior resident fishing license + saltwater endorsement and the standard red drum/spotted seatrout tags)
- Senior All-Water Package: $22 (includes a senior resident fishing license + both endorsements, plus the standard saltwater tags)
For comparison, standard Texas resident packages are $30 (freshwater), $35 (saltwater), and $40 (all-water), while non-resident packages are $58, $63, and $68. Texas also sells a resident Year-From-Purchase All-Water package for $47 (useful if you buy late in the season).
How Lifetime Licenses Work for Seniors
Texas also offers a Resident Lifetime Fishing License for $1,000. It’s only for Texas residents and is handled by application.
Whether a lifetime license “pays off” depends on what you would otherwise buy every year. For example, compared with the $22 senior all-water package, the break-even is roughly 45+ years (not counting any future fee changes). For many seniors, an annual senior package is the more economical choice, while a lifetime license is mainly about convenience or long-term planning.
Who Qualifies for Senior Discounts
Age cutoff details
As of 2026-01-19:
- Senior discount: Texas residents age 65+ who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1931.
- Age-based exemption: Texas residents born before Jan. 1, 1931 do not need a fishing license.
- Youth exemption: Residents and non-residents under 17 are exempt from the fishing license requirement.
- Limited non-resident exceptions: Louisiana residents 65+ with a valid Louisiana Recreational Fishing License and Oklahoma residents 65+ are not required to buy a Texas fishing license.
Military & veterans
Separate from age-based discounts, TPWD offers free packages for certain groups (documentation required and typically purchased in person at a license retailer):
- Texas resident active-duty military: free All-Water Fishing Package or free Super Combo package (full-time active military service; proof of residency is required).
- Disabled veterans (resident or non-resident): a free Disabled Veteran “Super Combo” package if you meet VA-defined disability criteria.
Comparing Senior Rates With Standard Adult Fees
| Package | Senior resident (65+) | Standard resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater package | $12 | $30 | $58 |
| Saltwater package | $17 | $35 | $63 |
| All-water package | $22 | $40 | $68 |
If you also hunt, TPWD lists a Resident Senior Super Combo Package for $32 (hunting + all-water fishing privileges).
Where and How to Purchase a Senior Fishing License
You can purchase Texas fishing licenses and endorsements (online and phone orders include a $5 administrative fee):
- Online: the official Texas License Connection website (txfgsales.com).
- In person: at about 1,700–1,800 license retailers statewide and at TPWD offices and Texas State Parks.
- By phone: TPWD’s phone ordering line at (800) 895-4248 (a $5 administrative fee applies).
TPWD also supports paper and fully digital licenses. Paper licenses can be purchased at retailers or online. Digital licenses must be purchased online. You can show many licenses in the Outdoor Annual mobile app.
Endorsements, tags, and extra permit requirements
In Texas public waters, a fishing license generally needs the correct freshwater and/or saltwater endorsement. The good news: senior packages include the endorsement(s) you need for that package type.
- Freshwater endorsement: $5 if purchased separately.
- Saltwater endorsement: $10 if purchased separately, and it comes with the standard red drum/spotted seatrout tags described in TPWD rules.
If you’re exempt from the fishing license requirement (for example, born before Jan. 1, 1931), you may still need an Exempt Angler Tag when keeping certain saltwater species.
Some specialized activities (especially on the coast) require additional tags or permits—such as certain saltwater trotline or shrimp-related tags—so check the current Outdoor Annual rules for your method and target species before you go.
Free and low-cost ways to fish legally
If your goal is simply to fish legally with minimal cost, Texas has a few built-in options:
- Free Fishing Day: on the first Saturday in June, anyone can fish without licenses or endorsements.
- Free Fishing in State Parks: you can fish year-round without a fishing license inside Texas State Parks (park entry fees still apply; bag and length limits still apply).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do seniors need a fishing license in Texas?
Yes—Texas residents age 65+ generally still need a license. The big exception is for Texas residents born before Jan. 1, 1931, who are exempt from the fishing license requirement.
Does the senior all-water package cover freshwater and saltwater?
Yes. The senior all-water package includes the senior resident fishing license plus both the freshwater and saltwater endorsements, and it includes the standard saltwater tags.
I’m exempt from the license—do I still need tags?
Possibly. TPWD notes that exempt anglers may still need specific tags to retain certain fish (for example, exempt angler tags for select saltwater species).
Where can I fish without a license?
Everyone can fish without a license on Free Fishing Day (first Saturday in June). You can also fish year-round without a license inside Texas State Parks (park entry fees still apply).
Is a lifetime fishing license worth it for seniors?
It depends. A Texas Resident Lifetime Fishing License costs $1,000. When you compare that with discounted senior annual packages (like the $22 all-water package), the break-even can be decades. Many seniors prefer annual renewals unless they value the convenience.
Can active-duty military or disabled veterans get free licenses?
In many cases, yes. TPWD lists free packages for Texas resident active-duty military and a free Disabled Veteran Super Combo package for qualifying disabled veterans. Documentation is required.
Conclusion
For most Texans 65 and older, the senior freshwater ($12), saltwater ($17), and all-water ($22) packages are the simplest way to stay legal and keep costs low through Aug. 31. If you qualify for an exemption or a military/veteran benefit, you may pay nothing—but you still need to follow seasons, bag limits, and any tag rules for your target species.
