Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Stay up-to-date on operations adjustments and temporary closure of TPWD 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
Hunting & Fishing

Licenses Now On Sale

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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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Hunting, Fishing & Boating

Outdoor Annual: Now All-Digital

Play Icon Outdoor Annual

Visit outdoorannual.com or get the free app for everything you need to know before you go. Once downloaded, the app can show regulations even when you don&t have cell service. More unique app features include access to location-based info on hunting seasons and nearby waterbodies, as well as the ability to look up current and past license purchases.

Fishing and Hunting License

Win a Lifetime License!

Lifetime License Drawing

The Lifetime License Drawing is your chance to win a Lifetime Super Combo License ($1,800 value) that lets you hunt and fish in Texas without ever buying another state license. There are 3 chances to win and $5 entries are on sale from now until November 30. Enter early for your best chance to win.

Enter today

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 Icon Rock Art Reborn, Lake Mineral Wells, Purple Martins

Rock Art Reborn, Lake Mineral Wells, Purple Martins

See how scientists are using laser technology to preserve Hueco Tanks rock art. The waters of Mineral Wells, west of Fort Worth, have long lured visitors. Relaxation at a lakeside state park is more the draw than the historic spas today, but entertaining exercise is also an option. Meet some landlords looking out for their tenants at a small high-rise condo complex that's completely for the birds.

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 »

Big Time Texas Hunts Entries are on Sale Now!

Play Icon Ultimate Mule Deer 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.

Hunting

Apply Now for Drawn Hunts

Girl with ducks from Drawn Hunt at WDWMA

Enter online to win any of the Drawn Hunts in the 2020-2021 season. Choose from more than 9,500 hunts, including some new ones. Each entry will cost anywhere from $0 to $10, and Youth Only category entries are always free.

Fishing

A Plan for Adjusting and Simplifying Catfish Rules to Make Fishing Better

Play Icon Potential Catfish Regulations Video

TPWD is requesting feedback from the public on a new suite of potential harvest regulation options for blue and channel catfish, as detailed in this webinar.

Learn more about Potential Catfish Regulations

Boating

Protect the Lakes You Love

Play Icon 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