Texas Free Fishing Day is an annual event held on the first Saturday in June on Texas public waters. Anyone can fish in public waters without a fishing license. This program encourages people to experience fishing and a connection with nature. While the license requirement is waived, all other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, remain in effect.
🐠 How to Fish
Unwind and cast
Hold the rod, cane pole or soda can in one hand. With your other hand, pull out some line and swing it like a slingshot or underhand toss to cast.
Let the bait settle in the water.
Wait and feel
Hold the rod, pole or soda can lightly in your hand. When a fish bites, you’ll feel tension or a tug on the line. Set the hook when the fish bites.
Reel it in
Turn the reel or grab the line and hand-pull it in. As you retrieve the fish, wind the slack line back around the reel, soda can or bottle for storage.
⚠ Tips & Safety ⚠
🔱 Avoid cutting your hand on hooks, knives or sharp edges.
🔆 Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a life vest near water.
💥 Always check local regulations before using improvised gear.
🐬 Use gloves while handling a fishing line to avoid cutting wet hands or when reeling in strong fish.
🐳 Be patient. Hand casting with a soda can is more challenging than a simple cane pole or rod and reel.
🍺 Moderate alcohol consumption.
🐠 Exemptions From a License
In addition to Free Fishing Day, some Texas residents are exempt all year, including children under 17 years of age and residents born before 1931.
Other license exemptions include fishing within Texas State Parks and on private property if the waters are completely contained within the parks or private property.
🐠 How to Get a Regular License
As of 2025, Texas offers many fishing license options through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), each tailored to different needs and eligibility criteria.
Prices range from a One-Day All-Water License at $11 to a Lifetime Resident Fishing Package at $1,000.
Licenses are available for purchase online at txfgsales.com. A $5 administrative fee applies. Call (800) 895-4248 to purchase licenses via phone on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $5 administrative fee applies.
More than 1,800 approved vendors offer fishing licenses. These stores include: sporting goods stores, gun shops, discount stores, bait and tackle shops, grocery stores and more. Search tpwd.texas.gov for locations.
🐟 Fabricate an Emergency Rig
In an emergency, it’s possible to construct a hook and reel from a soda can. Dental floss can be used as fishing line, a heavy nut can be a sinker and an 8-ounce water bottle can become a bobber. A chemical light can be inside a bottle bobber to help draw fish. Bait can be anything fish like from bread to worms, crickets or bait fish.
Carefully remove the pull tab with pliers to ensure the center hole is still useful. Cut the tab with a wire clipper in the three locations noted above. Bend the hole up and center the hole above the longest side.
Wrap the fishing line or dental floss around an empty can or water bottle.
Tie a nut or washer as a sinker to give the line some weight to cast.
When casting, throw the bait and weight up and away while pointing the soda can at the target casting area to let fishing line (or floss) flow freely from the soda can.
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I've Got Your Six!
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
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