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Texas proudly honors its veterans and active military personnel through substantial fishing license discounts and exemptions. Whether you’re a disabled veteran, active duty service member, or planning to fish Texas waters, this comprehensive guide outlines everything you need to know about military fishing license benefits in the Lone Star State for 2025.
Eligibility Requirements for Texas Veteran Fishing License Benefits
Texas offers generous license benefits to qualifying veterans and active military personnel, with specific eligibility criteria determining which benefits you can access.
Disabled Veterans
The Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package is available at no cost to:
- Resident or non-resident veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more
- Veterans who have lost the use of a foot or leg due to service-connected disability
- Veterans receiving compensation from the U.S. government for these disabilities
What makes Texas unique is that these benefits extend to qualifying non-resident disabled veterans as well, not just Texas residents. This demonstrates Texas’s commitment to honoring veterans’ service regardless of their current state of residence.
Active Duty Military
Texas residents on full-time active duty in the U.S. military qualify for free license packages, including:
- U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard
- Reserves
- National Guard
- Texas State Guard
Active duty personnel must provide proof of Texas residency, which can include military service records showing Texas as the home of record or documentation showing that their duty station has been in Texas for the six months immediately prior to application.
The Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package: What’s Included
The Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Item #502) is comprehensive and includes:
- Resident hunting license
- Resident fishing license
- Archery endorsement
- Freshwater fishing endorsement
- Saltwater fishing endorsement with a red drum tag
- Upland game bird endorsement
- Migratory game bird endorsement
This package represents significant value, as purchasing these licenses and endorsements separately would cost well over $100. The Federal Duck Stamp, required for waterfowl hunting, is not included and must be purchased separately if needed.
The package must be obtained in person at a license retailer, as documentation must be verified at the time of issuance.
Texas Resident Active Duty Military License Options
Active duty military personnel who are Texas residents have three free license package options:
- Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Item #510)
- Includes all the same benefits as the Disabled Veteran package
- Includes both red drum and spotted seatrout tags
- All-Water Fishing Package (Item #511)
- Fishing license
- Freshwater and Saltwater endorsements
- Red drum and spotted seatrout tags
- Hunting Package (Item #512)
- Hunting license
- Archery endorsement
- Upland game bird endorsement
- Migratory game bird endorsements
As with the Disabled Veteran package, these must be obtained in person at a license retailer with proper documentation of active duty status and Texas residency.
Pending Legislation: Expanding Benefits to All Veterans
As of May 2025, House Bill 761 introduced by Representative Leo Wilson proposes significant expansions to veteran fishing license benefits in Texas. If passed, this legislation would:
- Waive fishing and hunting license fees for all honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed services
- Not just those with disabilities or on active duty
- Apply to licenses issued after the effective date of the Act (no retroactive refunds)
This bill represents a potential major expansion of benefits and demonstrates Texas’s ongoing commitment to supporting its veteran population. The bill is still pending as of this writing, but if passed, would make Texas one of the most generous states in terms of veteran fishing license benefits.
For the latest status of this legislation, visit the Texas Legislature Online.
Standard Texas Fishing License Costs (2025)
To understand the value of these veteran exemptions, it’s helpful to compare them with standard license costs. The following table shows current Texas fishing license fees for 2025:
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Senior Resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Package | $30 | $58 | $12 |
| Saltwater Package | $35 | $63 | $17 |
| All-Water Package | $40 | $68 | $22 |
| One-Day All-Water | $11 | $16 | N/A |
| Year-from-Purchase All-Water | $47 | N/A | N/A |
| Lifetime Fishing | $1,000 | N/A | N/A |
These prices illustrate the significant savings offered through veteran exemptions, particularly for the comprehensive Super Combo Package.
For complete details on standard fishing license options and costs, visit our guide on How Much Does a Fishing License Cost in Texas?
How to Apply for Veteran Fishing License Benefits
Obtaining your veteran fishing license benefits in Texas requires following specific steps:
- Gather required documentation (detailed in the next section)
- Visit a license retailer in person – Unlike standard licenses, veteran packages cannot be purchased online
- Present your documentation to the license agent
- Complete the application process with the retailer
- Receive your license package on the spot
Texas has approximately 1,800 approved license retailers throughout the state, including sporting goods stores, bait shops, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) offices.
If you’re planning a shorter trip to Texas as a non-resident, you might be interested in our guide to Texas 5-Day Non-Resident Fishing Licenses.
Documentation Requirements
Proper documentation is essential when applying for veteran fishing license benefits:
For Disabled Veterans:
You must show one of the following:
- Official proof of disability issued by the Veterans Administration (VA)
- Must clearly state the disability rating (50% or greater) or loss of use of foot/leg
- Should be issued within the last 12 months
- Can be digital or hard copy
- Texas Driver License with “Disabled Veteran” designation
For Active Duty Military:
You must show proof of:
- Texas residency
- Active duty military status
- Military service record showing Texas as home of record, OR
- Documentation showing duty station in Texas for six months prior to application
Having these documents ready before visiting a license retailer will streamline the application process.
Additional Fishing License Exemptions in Texas
Beyond veteran-specific exemptions, Texas offers several other fishing license exemptions:
- Youth exemption: No license required for anyone under 17 years of age (resident or non-resident)
- Senior exemption: Texas residents born before January 1, 1931, are exempt
- State Park exemption: No fishing license needed when fishing from the bank or pier within a Texas State Park
- Free Fishing Day: No license required on the first Saturday in June each year
- Private water exemption: No license required when fishing in private waters
These additional exemptions can complement veteran benefits, particularly for family fishing trips where some members may qualify for different exemptions.
Texas Veteran Benefits Compared to Other States
Texas stands out for its generous approach to veteran fishing license benefits:
- 30 out of 50 states offer free licenses or exemptions to veterans
- 19 states offer discounted licenses for veterans
- Only Massachusetts has no publicly available veterans exemption or discount program
What makes Texas exceptional is that it offers its free Super Combo package to qualifying non-resident disabled veterans, not just Texas residents. Many states restrict benefits to resident veterans only.
For veterans who travel and fish in multiple states, it’s worth checking the specific requirements in each destination, as eligibility criteria vary widely.
Where to Purchase Fishing Licenses in Texas
Texas fishing licenses, including veteran packages, can be obtained through several channels:
- In person at any of the 1,800+ approved retailers statewide (required for veteran packages)
- Online through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website (standard licenses only, not veteran packages)
- By phone at (800) 895-4248, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (standard licenses only)
- TPWD offices across Texas (all license types)
New fishing licenses for the 2025-2026 season became available in August 2024, with current licenses expiring on August 31, 2025. The license year in Texas runs from September 1 to August 31 of the following year, regardless of when you purchase your license.
Do I need to be a Texas resident to qualify for veteran fishing license benefits?
No, non-resident disabled veterans with qualifying disability ratings (50%+ or loss of use of a foot/leg) are eligible for the free Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package.
Can I apply for a veteran fishing license online?
No, the free Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package must be obtained in person at a license retailer, where your documentation can be verified.
What if my disability rating is less than 50%?
Currently, Texas requires a disability rating of 50% or greater for the free Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package. However, if House Bill 761 passes, all honorably discharged veterans may become eligible.
Do I need additional stamps or endorsements with my veteran license package?
The Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package includes the most common endorsements needed for fishing in Texas. However, a Federal Duck Stamp is still required for waterfowl hunting and is not included in the package.
Do active duty military need to be Texas residents to qualify for free licenses?
Yes, the free Active Duty Military License Packages are specifically for Texas residents on full-time active duty.
How do I prove my disability status if I don’t have a Texas driver’s license?
You can present official documentation from the VA showing your disability rating. This must be issued within the last 12 months and can be in digital or hard copy format.
What if House Bill 761 passes? Will I get a refund for my current license?
According to the bill text, the changes would only apply to licenses issued after the effective date of the Act. No refunds would be issued for licenses purchased before that date.
Conclusion
Texas offers exceptional fishing license benefits for veterans, particularly those with service-connected disabilities. The free Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package represents significant savings and includes comprehensive fishing and hunting privileges. By honoring those who served through these exemptions, Texas makes it easier for veterans to enjoy the therapeutic and recreational benefits of fishing.
Whether you’re a resident or non-resident disabled veteran, active duty military personnel, or veteran hoping to benefit from proposed legislation, understanding these benefits can help you make the most of fishing opportunities in Texas.
With the possibility of expanded benefits through House Bill 761, Texas continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting veterans and their recreational pursuits.
For more information on Texas fishing regulations, licenses, and opportunities, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or explore our other guides on TeenFish.
