New Mexico vs Texas fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, New Mexico is $14 cheaper than Texas. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Texas is $36 cheaper than New Mexico. You need a license from age 12 in New Mexico and from 17 in Texas.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | New Mexico | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $16 | $16 |
| 3 days | $34 | $48 |
| 7 days | $58 | $58 |
| 1 year | $94 | $58 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $39 | $30 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| New Mexico | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 12 | 17 |
| Senior residents | Resident annual fishing license, 70 and older (free): Free (ages 70+) | Senior freshwater package: $12 (ages 65+) Senior saltwater package: $17 (ages 65+) Senior all-water package: $22 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV): $4 Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV): $4 | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Sat, Jun 5, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Not applicable | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 03-31 | To August 31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: New Mexico fishing license · Texas fishing license
Shared waters
Neither state lists a special agreement for waters shared with the other. Where you fish decides which license you need.
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | New Mexico | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
| Crappie |
No minimum; bag 20 |
10" minimum; bag 25 in total |
| Catfish |
Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) Bluegill, sunfish, bullheads and other warm water fish |
Channel and blue catfish Flathead catfish |
| Striped bass |
White bass and wipers (hybrid striped bass) Striped bass |
Striped and hybrid striped bass |
Questions
Is a New Mexico fishing license valid in Texas?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, New Mexico or Texas?
1 day (fresh water): New Mexico $16, Texas $16. 1 year (fresh water): New Mexico $94, Texas $58.
At what age do you need a fishing license in New Mexico and Texas?
You need a license from age 12 in New Mexico and from 17 in Texas.