Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Stay up-to-date on operations adjustments and temporary closure of Law Enforcement offices, state parks, recreation facilities and water access points due to COVID-19. Please follow guidance from local authorities, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

See Temporary Closures and Adjustments Boat Registration Office Status State Parks Alert Map Lake Conditions

Be safe in the outdoors, Texas.

Prevent spread of the coronavirus when outdoors.

  • Wear a mask
  • Social distance of six feet or more
  • Limit groups to 10 household members
  • Avoid commonly touched surfaces
  • Wash hands or use sanitizer

Stay safe this summer by using these six heat hacks.

Now that the summer has officially begun and temperatures are steadily climbing, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is sharing their top six heat hacks for staying safe in the outdoors.

Have fun and be safe when on the water or swimming.

Be prepared before heading out to lakes, rivers and coastal bays this summer. Learn how to protect yourself and loved ones while boating, paddling and swimming.

Alternatives to doing business in person with TPWD.

Some Law Enforcement and Austin HQ offices are closed to customers for licenses and boat registration. Please consider the following online and mail-in options.

Online Boat Registration
Renew registration, obtain replacement documents and more online.
See available online boat registration options
Mail-in Boat Requests
Mail ownership transfer transaction requests to your nearest TPWD Law Enforcement Office:
Contact TPWD Boat Section
(800) 262-8755
Boat.Reg@tpwd.texas.gov
Fishing & Hunting Licenses
Online purchase of licenses, stamps, tags & packages.
Buy fishing & hunting licenses
Outdoor Annual
Summary of Hunting, Fishing and Boating Regulations
View the Outdoor Annual or Download the app
Boater Education
Online courses are available for required boater education.
See available boater education courses

Law Enforcement Contacts

Bring the Texas outdoors into your video meetings with free virtual backgrounds.

Are you working remotely? Choose from our hand-picked selection of beautiful backgrounds for video conference applications, free for your personal use.

Stay connected to the outdoors from your home.

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Hot Topics

Hunting, Fishing & Boating

New Season, New Regulations

Outdoor Annual - Fishing

The new fishing seasons bring new rules and regulations. Get the free Outdoor Annual mobile app now and be in-the-know when you're afield or afloat. Once downloaded, the app can be used to access the regulations information even when you don't have an internet connection. New this year: view your license within the app! Regulations can also be found online at OutdoorAnnual.com.

Fishing

BIGGER BETTER BASS!

ShareLunker

A new era of Toyota ShareLunker is underway! The year-round season began Jan. 1, and now anglers who catch a bass that's at least 8 lbs. or 24" can enter their catch online or in the ShareLunker app. Participants will receive a catch kit, achievement decal, ShareLunker gear, and entry into a drawing for prizes including a $5,000 shopping spree!

Learn more at TexasShareLunker.com

Watch TPW Television

Airing on PBS this Week

Play Now Disaster Response, Farm Heritage, Rookery Island Erosion

Disaster Response, Farm Heritage, Rookery Island Erosion

Texas Game Wardens help protect our lands, our waters, our fish, our wildlife, our property, our environment, but also our lives. By keeping their Central Texas farm in agriculture for more than a century, the Vacek family honors their heritage. North Deer Island is one of the largest rookery islands on the Texas coast, but it is slowly eroding away, threatening the birds that nest there.

Where to Watch »

Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine

Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine June 2020 cover

In this Issue:
Summer Dreams

Subscribe

Magazine covers $10 for one year (Print or App)
to Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine Order »

Fishing

Federal Red Snapper Season

Red Snapper

The private recreational angler red snapper season open Monday, June 1, 2020 for a projected 63-days in federal waters.

Learn more about Red Snapper Season

Hunting

Big Time Texas Hunts Entries are on Sale Now!

Play Now Big Time Texas Hunts Video

Take a chance and enter to win any of 10 premium hunting packages on some of the best private ranches and TPWD Wildlife Management Areas across Texas! For only $9 online or $10 at your local license retailer, you could win the hunts of a lifetime. Plus, your entry fees will go towards conservation and habitat management, keeping hunting fun for everyone. Enter today!

Learn more about Big Time Texas Hunts

Fishing

How to Find a Spot to Fish Close to Home

Father and son fishing on Lake Bastrop

The closer to home you fish, the more time you get on the water. Try any of these 3 useful tools to find places to fish near your home:

Some lake and river access points may be closed during the pandemic. Many have contact information listed, so confirm the area is open before you head out. Check our Temporary Closures and Operations Adjustments for any Texas fishing updates related to COVID-19.

Boating

Protect the Lakes You Love

Play Now Clean, Drain, Dry Your Boat

Invasive species like giant salvinia and zebra mussels can ruin fishing, boating and swimming for everyone. You can't always tell if a lake is infested with invasive species, and even a small piece left on your boat or gear can infest another lake. That's why it's so important to always clean drain and dry your boat, trailer and gear before traveling from lake to lake. It's up to you to protect the lakes you love.

Learn more at Stop Invasives