We have been getting a lot of questions about fishing requirements on Lake Texoma, and decided to answer the question once and for all: Do you need an Oklahoma or Texas license to fish Lake Texoma? 

Yes, you need a fishing license to fish on Lake Texoma if you are between the ages of 16 and 79. This answer can also change based on who you are, and where in or on the lake you’re fishing. Sixty-five percent of the lake falls within the boundaries of Oklahoma – 35 percent in Texas. When you’re out on the water, it’s a difficult task to track which state’s waters you’re in. 

Who Needs a License to Fish on Lake Texoma?

Who needs which license to fish on Lake Texoma depends on your age and residency, no matter if you enter the waters or fish from either the Texas or Oklahoma side of Lake Texoma (or both).  It gets a little convoluted, so we made this chart to help sort things out.

Lake Texoma Fishing License Age Requirements for Oklahoma Residents

Lake Texoma Fishing License Age Requirements for Texas Residents

Lake Texoma Fishing License Information For Children

If you are a resident of Oklahoma or Texas and you’re under the age of 16, you do not need a fishing license. Since a license is required by Oklahoma beginning at age 16, those aged 16-64 will need a regular fishing license to fish the Oklahoma side, or simply a Texoma License to fish anywhere in the lake without worry. 

Lake Texoma Fishing License Information For Adults

Anyone who is of adult age will either need a standard fishing license to fish the side of their state residency, or a Lake Texoma License to freely fish the entire lake. You do not need both. I have found it handy to have both, as I also enjoy fishing beyond Texomaland.

Lake Texoma Fishing License Information For Seniors

Rules for senior citizens are interesting, because both Oklahoma and Texas invite senior residents of the other state to fish their waters at no charge. So if you’re 65 and older, you can cross the state line to fish for free with simply a driver’s license, but you will need a standard or Texoma license to fish your own state’s waters, unless you’re a Texan over the age of 80. 

What is The Lake Texoma Fishing License Type 208

A Lake Texoma License, or “Type 208 License”, is a special fishing license just for Lake Texoma, allowing you to fish anywhere on Lake Texoma without worry. It was created by the states of Texas and Oklahoma together in order to simplify fishing on Lake Texoma. 

A Lake Texoma Fishing License costs $12.00, it can be purchased from either state, and it is valid from the date of issue until December 31 of the same year. 

Do I Need Both a Lake Texoma Fishing License and a Regular TexasFishing License? 

No, you do not need both types of licenses if you are only fishing Lake Texoma. A Lake Texoma License is the only thing you need if you are fishing just the lake. However, like most anglers I enjoy fishing both Lake Texoma and beyond, so I tend to get both a Texoma License and a standard Fishing License to maximize my time on the water. 

Where Can I Buy a Type 208 License?

The easiest way to buy a Lake Texoma Fishing License (Type 208) is online, and it is provided by both states. You can purchase a lake Texoma Fishing License online or at retailers such as Walmart, Academy, and other fishing tackle and bait shops close to and around the lake in either state. No matter where you buy one, it costs $12 and is valid until December 31. 

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife offers it online at www.wildlifedepartment.com and calls it a “Texoma License”. All Oklahoma licenses are good until December 31. 

Texas calls it both a “Texoma License” and a “Type 208 License”, and has online licenses available at https://tpwd.texas.gov/. Texas fishing licenses are valid from September 1 to August 31, while the Texoma License is only valid January 1 to December 31 regardless of what state your general fishing license is in. 

Lake Texoma Fishing Regulations: Limits, Size and Possession

Oklahoma and Texas have requirements for limits, size and possession of fish caught. Even though you have a Lake Texoma Fishing License, if you are checked by the different state game warden and are fishing within the Texas or Oklahoma side of the lake, your stringer or livewell contents should conform to the particular state water you are in. Keep that in mind especially when crossing the lake. 

Texas Fishing Regulations on Lake Texoma

Black Bass

For largemouth and smallmouth bass, minimum length limit – 14 inches. Daily bag limit to 5 fish for all black bass species.

White, Striped and Yellow Bass

For Lake Texoma Striper, Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass, there is no minimum length limit. Daily bag limit – 10; possession limit – 20, and only two striped or hybrid striped bass 20 inches or greater may be retained each day. Culling of striped bass and hybrid striped bass is prohibited.

For white bass, there is no minimum length; daily bag – 25 fish. There are no bag or size limits for yellow bass.

Catfish

For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length and combined daily bag limit – 15 fish. Only one blue catfish 30 inches or greater may be retained each day. For flathead catfish, no minimum length and daily bag – 5.

Crappie

For black and white crappie, minimum length limit – 10 inches and daily bag limit – 37 in any combination. Possession limit – 50 crappie.

Sunfish

There is no minimum length or daily bag limit on bluegill, redear, warmouth or other species of sunfish.

Walleye and Saugeye

For walleye, minimum length – 18 inches and daily bag – 5.

Oklahoma Fishing Regulations on Lake Texoma

Largemouth and/or Smallmouth Bass

Daily limit 6 (combined), size limit 14 inch minimum

Spotted Bass

Daily limit- none, size limit – none

Channel and/or Blue Catfish

Daily limit – 15 (combined), size limit – only 1 Blue Catfish over 30

Flathead Catfish

Daily Limit – 5, size limit – none

Complete limit, size and bag regulations for all Lake Texoma fish can be found at <insert>

The Lake Texoma Fishing License (Type 208) makes it easy to comply with fishing license requirements to fish the lake. But, be sure you are complying with the state water body size, limits, and possession regulations.