Is drone fishing legal? Texas, federal law and other state rules

It depends on what you do and where. In December 2025, Texas Parks and Wildlife said using a drone to deploy fishing bait violates the federal Airborne Hunting Act, after consulting the US Fish and Wildlife Service, so drone bait drops are not allowed in Texas. Some states, such as Oregon and Michigan, also bar using drones to take fish. Filming your fishing trip with a drone is generally legal under normal FAA rules.

Texas: drone bait drops aren't allowed

In December 2025, TPWD announced that drones "cannot be used to deploy bait" for bank and surf anglers. Its reasoning:

The federal Airborne Hunting Act and its rules (50 CFR 19.11) bar using an aircraft to help take wildlife, and wildlife includes fish.
A drone is an aircraft under these rules. The Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement agreed.
Federal rules bar states from issuing permits for aircraft use in sport hunting or fishing, so TPWD can't permit drone baiting.

TPWD said nothing changed in Texas law; a drone baiting violation is a federal matter, not a state charge. Separately, a 2025 Texas law (effective September 1, 2025) added drones to the state's definition of aircraft for wildlife management rules.

What about other states?

Because the Airborne Hunting Act is federal, the same reasoning could apply anywhere. TPWD's statement is the clearest official guidance so far. Before you fly a bait drop in any state, ask your state wildlife agency and the Fish and Wildlife Service in writing.

Some states have their own rules:

Oregon (ORS 498.128): no drones to hunt, fish or trap, or to locate wildlife for those purposes. It's also illegal to use one to interfere with people lawfully fishing.
Michigan (MCL 324.40111c): no drones to take game or fish, or to harass animals.
Alaska: a Board of Fisheries rule bars drones to locate salmon or direct commercial salmon fishing in Southeast Alaska during open periods.
Florida: shore-based shark fishing needs a free annual permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, whatever gear you use.

We haven't found an official Hawaii rule specific to drone fishing; check with Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources and local beach rules. State-by-state guides: Texas drone fishing, Florida, North Carolina.

What's still legal

Filming your trip, the hookup and the release, under normal FAA rules.
Scouting structure, sandbars and water color is a gray area. TPWD's statement addressed bait drops. If the drone helps you find fish to catch, ask your agency first.

FAA rules for fishing flights

Register any drone of 250 g or more and fly at or below 400 ft. See FAA registration.
Keep the drone in visual line of sight. A long bait run over the surf at dusk often breaks this rule.
Don't fly over swimmers, surfers or other people.
Fishing guides and charters who fly for their business need Part 107.
National seashores and other National Park System units ban drone launches without a permit.

Which drone for filming

The DJI Air 3S has a 1-inch camera, a 70 mm tele and a 45-minute rated flight time for long beach sessions. The DJI Mini 4 Pro weighs 249 g, so recreational pilots don't register it. Neither is made to carry a bait rig. See best drone for fishing.

Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Fishing from the beach? Read drone fishing for sharks and tuna.