Learn everything you need to know about recreational fishing licenses in Florida so that you can follow the newest rules.
Florida WildLife Commission Fishing License
Most people in Florida need a license to go fishing in the state. You need a permit even if you take fish and let them go. Several things need to follow this rule, though. According to Florida’s fishing laws, this list of people does not require a license.
- Kids and teens younger than 16
- Seniors living in the area aged 65 or older
- People who fish in fresh water in their home county on their own homestead or the homestead of a spouse or minor child
- People who live in Florida and are totally and permanently disabled and have a Florida Resident Disabled Person’s Hunting and Fishing License can hunt and fish.
- People who live in Florida but are in the military and not stationed there but are home on leave for 30 days or less
- People who watch or film someone fishing but don’t help them catch anything
- Veterans who are disabled or active or reserve military members, as well as their family members and helpers, who are taking part in an outdoor activity that has a Military/Disabled Veteran Event License Exemption Permit
Confident people don’t need a license for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
In Florida, the following people do not need a freshwater fishing license:
- The Agency for Persons with Disabilities will help Florida residents with developmental disabilities if they meet specific requirements.
- People who fish in a pond that is less than 20 acres and is entirely on the owner’s private property
- Folks who fish in a pond that is 20 acres or bigger and whose owner has a fishing pond license
- People who have a Resident Freshwater Commercial Fishing License
- People who are fishing in the St. Mary’s River or Lake Seminole and have a valid Georgia fishing license
- Fishing on a day when fishing in freshwater is free
- People who live in their home county and fish for fun or for business using poles or lines that don’t have a fishing line retrieval mechanism and live bait that is alive or natural
These people who fish in salt water don’t need a license:
- The Agency for Persons with Disabilities will help Florida residents with developmental disabilities if they meet specific requirements.
- People who fish from a hired boat and have a valid charter license
- People who are fishing from a boat whose captain has a valid recreational saltwater vessel license
- People who went fishing on a day when saltwater fishing was free
- People who have a valid saltwater pier license and fish from a pier
- For people who have a valid FWC charter captain license or saltwater products license
- People who live in the area and have a valid resident freshwater fishing license can fish for mullet in fresh water.
- Residents who can get food stamps, short-term cash aid, or Medicaid from the Department of Children and Families and fish from land or a structure that is fixed to the land
- People who live in their home county and fish for fun or for business using poles or lines that don’t have a fishing line retrieval mechanism and live bait that is alive or natural
Remember that it can be hard to tell if you need a saltwater or freshwater license in places where freshwater and saltwater meet. In these situations, license rules depend on the type of fish caught rather than where it was caught.
TYPES OF LICENSES FOR FISHING
Florida has different types of fishing licenses for freshwater and saltwater fishing. The proper permit for you will depend on the activities you want to do.
- Freshwater Fishing Licenses: You need a freshwater license to catch or try to catch native or non-native freshwater fish.
- Resident License: You can get a license for one year or five years.
- Nonresident License: You can get an annual, three-day, or a 7-day license.
- You can buy a combination license for less if you want a fishing and hunting license covering fresh and saltwater.
- Sportsman’s Licenses: If you want to do other things besides fishing, like hunting, archery, using muzzleloading guns, and more, you can buy a single license covering all those things.
- Youth License: If you are between the ages of 8 and 15, you can get a license valid for two years.
- Lifetime License: You can still use this license even if you move away from Florida.
- Saltwater Fishing Licenses: You need a license to catch fish, crabs, clams, marine plants, or other animals that live in saltwater.
- Resident License: Residents can choose between a one-year or five-year license.
- Nonresident License: People who don’t live in the country can choose between a three-day, 7-day, or annual license.
- Shoreline Only: You can get an accessible shoreline license if you only want to fish from the shore.
- This is the combination license for people who want a saltwater license, freshwater license, and/or a hunting license.
- Sportsman’s License: This type of license lets you do many different things, like fishing, hunting, archery, using muzzleloading guns, and more.
- Youth License: This license type is optional, but kids ages 8 to 15 should get one.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO GET A FISHING LICENSE IN FLORIDA?
The license fees cover everything except the processing costs. The money goes to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help protect the state’s fish and wildlife. For 2021, these are the prices that can be found on the website of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
Living There
- $17.00 for a freshwater fishing license every year.
- $79.00 for a 5-year freshwater fishing license
- A saltwater fishing license costs $17.00 a year.
- $79.00 for a 5-year saltwater fishing license
- An annual license to fish in both freshwater and saltwater costs $32.50.
- $32.50 for a year for a freshwater fishing and hunting license.
- A license lets you fish in fresh and saltwater and hunt for one year, costing $48.00.
- $80.50 per year for a sportsman’s license.
- $17.00 for an optional youth license
- License for Life: The fees are based on your age when the license is given.
People who aren’t residents
- $47.00 for a one-year freshwater fishing license.
- $17 for a 3-day freshwater fishing license.
- $30 for a 7-day freshwater fishing license.
- A saltwater fishing license costs $47.00 a year.
- $17 for a 3-day saltwater fishing license.
- $30 for a 7-day saltwater fishing license.
The website lists prices, but the license owner may charge fifty cents as an “issuance fee.”
There are no refunds on any license fees.
Get a Fishing License in Florida.
Are you ready to buy your book? You can purchase a license using the Fish Hunt FL app or GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. You can also call 888-FISH-FLORIDA or visit a licensed agent or tax collector’s office to get one.