ByGetting Your Galveston Fishing License Is Easy With DoNotPay
Galveston, Texas is home to some incredible fishing spots. With the bay on one side and the beach on the other, it's perfect for fishing from piers, wading, and casting from a boat. However, to fully appreciate them all, you'll need to get your . From the 61st Street Pier to Seawolf Park and the San Luis Pass, anglers have ample opportunity to flex their skills and haul in trophy-worthy catches. In fact, the State of Texas is an angler's ideal playground. If you're willing to travel, you can even cast yourself in gorgeous Lake Fork, Lake Buchanan, Lake Palestine, and more.
The Texas Wildlife and Parks Department determines who can and cannot fish in Texas waters and regulates how fishing is done. Getting your fishing license is an important step in learning the rules you'll be subject to and making sure that your on-water activities are absolutely . Fees for misdemeanor violation of Texas fishing laws can range between $25 and $4,000. Fortunately, you can get your Texas fishing license through the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department in-person or online. There are even several authorized retailers who can get you licensed. For an ultra-fast and stress-free process, you can also get your Galveston fishing license from DoNotPay.
Who’s Eligible for a Galveston Fishing License?
All residents and non-residents fishing in Texas waters must have a fishing license if they're above the age of 17. Anyone aged 17 or over looking to catch and take fish, clams, crayfish, mussels, or any other form of aquatic life from Galveston waters must have a Galveston fishing license with saltwater or freshwater endorsement. In Texas, all resident and non-resident anglers below the age of 17 are exempt from Galveston fishing license requirements. Other exemptions for Texas fishing license requirements include:
- Anyone born prior to January 1931
- Persons with intellectual disabilities participating in medically approved, therapeutic fishing programs
- Persons with intellectual disabilities fishing with licensed anglers who are either relatives or approved by relatives for chaperoning fishing excursions
- Louisiana residents over the age of 65 with valid Louisiana fishing permits
- Oklahoma residents over the age of 65
As in all other states with fishing license requirements, the cost of a fishing license for a Texas resident will be cheaper than the cost of a fishing license for a non-resident. Residents are considered anyone who's lived in Texas for at least six months at the time of applying for a license.
Free Fishing Opportunities in the State of Texas
Those visiting a Texas State Park can both catch and keep fish without having a fishing license. This exemption is applicable to residents, non-residents, and anglers of all ages. Galveston State Park is one such location. However, to use this exemption, fishers must remain at all times within the boundaries of the park. This often means limiting fishing from a pier or bank. If you plan on fishing from a vessel in any of these locations, you should get your Galveston fishing license.
It's also unnecessary to have a Galveston fishing license if you'll be fishing from a stock tank or in other private waters. However, when traveling with the fish that you've caught, you'll need to have some form of documentation showing that your fish were captured in private waters. You should be prepared to share this documentation when questioned by any public authority.
What Are the Different Types of Fishing Licenses in Galveston, Texas and What Do They Cost?
In Texas, a general fishing license is required for performing any type of fishing in Texas waters. However, you will need several special endorsements to actually take fish or any other aquatic species with you. Texas fishing licenses are packaged with a freshwater endorsement or a saltwater endorsement. Moreover, if you wish to take aquatic species such as frogs, toads, or turtles, you will need a hunting license. The Texas Wildlife and Parks Department offers both standalone fishing and hunting licenses and fishing and hunting license packages. When applying for a fishing license in Galveston, TX, you can choose from the:
| Resident Freshwater Package (Texas fishing license with freshwater endorsement included) | $30 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Package (Texas fishing license with freshwater endorsement included) | $58 |
| Senior Freshwater Package (Texas fishing license with freshwater endorsement included) | $12 |
| Resident Saltwater Package (Texas fishing license with saltwater endorsement included) | $35 |
| Non-Resident Saltwater Package (Texas fishing license with saltwater endorsement included) | $63 |
| Senior Saltwater Package (Texas fishing license with saltwater endorsement included) | $17 |
Also known as water package licenses, these licenses are available from the time of sale through August 31. Lifetime licenses and tags are available at a cost of $1,000 and can only be purchased by permanent Texas residents.
Fishing Endorsements, Permits, and Tags
Texas fishing license holders have the option of purchasing additional permits, endorsements, and tags. For instance, if you purchase a Resident Freshwater Package but later plan a saltwater angling excursion, you can purchase the needed saltwater endorsement separately. The available endorsements, permits, and tags for your Galveston fishing license include:
| Freshwater fishing endorsement | $5 |
| Saltwater fishing endorsement | $10 |
| Saltwater trotline tag | $5 |
| Red drum tag | (Price included in water package licenses) |
| Limited public use permit | $12 |
| Individual bait-shrimp trawl tag | $37 |
Red drum tags are necessary for anyone seeking to keep a Redfish longer than 28 inches.
How to Get a Galveston Fishing License on Your Own
You can get your Gavelston fishing license from the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department (TWPD). You can do so by finding and visiting a local TWPD office or by visiting their official website. There are also several retailers that have been authorized by TWPD to issue Galveston fishing licenses and the necessary permits. These retailers are listed on the TWPD website.
To apply, you will need to have a valid, state-issued form of identification. You will also need:
- A valid form of payment (cash, check, credit card, or debit card)
- Basic knowledge of your planned fishing excursions to determine the right license and endorsement type
- Proof of disability or proof of any other qualifying factors for Galveston fishing license discounts
Next Steps to Get Your Fishing License in Galveston if You Can’t Do It on Your Own
Whether you're having a hard time making it into a local office of the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department, cannot process your online payment through the TWPD system, or cannot find an approved retailer near you, DoNotPay can help. Signing up for DoNotPay will make it easy to find the right license type for your needs and to get all of the necessary fishing endorsements, permits, and tags for your trip. Using DoNotPay is an excellent choice for non-resident anglers who want to take care of this business before arriving in Texas. With DoNotPay, you can get your Galveston fishing license square away fast and can spend more of your vacation on the water and doing what you love.
Get Your Galveston Fishing License With the Help of DoNotPay
Navigating the TWPD website can be confusing. Moreover, finding an open office in your area isn't always easy. This is certainly true if you're a non-resident hoping to get your Galveston fishing license ahead of your trip. Fortunately, DoNotPay makes it possible to get your Texas fishing license with all the right endorsements in just three simple steps.
How to get your fishing license using DoNotPay:
If you want to get your fishing license but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 3 easy steps:
- Search "fishing license" on DoNotPay and select the state you would like a fishing license for.
- Indicate whether you are a resident or non-resident, and choose the type of license you want. For example, saltwater vs. freshwater license, three-day only pass, and more.
- Provide your contact information, a copy of your government-issued ID, and pay the fee required by the state.
Why Use DoNotPay to Get Your Fishing License in Texas?
With DoNotPay, it won't take hours or extra travel to get your . You can take care of everything right from the comfort of home using your smartphone or other connected mobile devices. With DoNotPay, you can also make sure that you've got the right endorsements, permits, and tags for all of your Texas fishing adventures.
DoNotPay Works Across All Companies, Entities, and Groups With Just the Click of a Button
DoNotPay does it all. It works across all companies, entities, and groups with just one click of a button. If there are multiple services, products, or licenses that you need for your Galveston fishing trip, you can take care of everything at once. You can even get help recovering account passwords, managing subscriptions, finding important documents, and more!
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If you need a Galveston fishing license, DoNotPay can help you get one in virtually no time and with absolutely no stress or hassle. Subscribe now to get started!