Fishing Licenses
Exemptions
The State of Florida is responsible for the protection of fish and wildlife within its borders. In order to preserve our fish population, we require fishing licenses to be purchased by residents and certain others, unless exempt. There are various types of licenses issued for freshwater, saltwater and shoreline fishing. State laws vary, we recommend reviewing local requirements to ensure you are conforming to local laws and guidelines.
Exemptions Fishing Licenses
Freshwater Fishing Licenses
Florida law requires possession of a valid fishing license when freshwater fishing with the following exceptions:
- Any individual under 16 years of age.
- Florida residents 65 years of age and older. You must carry your Florida driver license or proof of age and residency.
- No license is required of a resident fishing in the county of his/her residence using a cane-fishing pole.
- Residents who are totally and permanently disabled and they must present authorized disability statements with proof of residency.
- Military personnel who are residents of Florida and are home on leave for a period of 30 days or less and have valid orders in their possession.
For more information, please contact our office.
Saltwater Fishing Licenses
Florida law requires possession of a valid fishing license when saltwater fishing with the following exceptions:
- You are under 16 years of age.
- You are a resident fishing in saltwater from a licensed fishing pier.
- You are a Florida resident 65 years of age and older. You must carry your Florida driver license or proof of age and residency.
- Military personnel who are residents of Florida and are home on leave for a period of 30 days or less and have valid orders in their possession.
- You are a Florida resident certified as totally and permanently disabled and you possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate.
- You are a resident who is fishing with live or natural bait, using poles or lines that are not equipped with a fishing-line-retrieval mechanism and you are fishing for noncommercial purposes in your home county. However, you must have a valid fishing license to fish by any method in a fish management area.
- You have been accepted as a client for developmental services by the Department of Children and Family Services. The department must furnish proof to such clients.
- You fish from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid vessel license.
- You fish from a vessel, the operator of which has a valid vessel license issued in the name of the operator of the vessel.
- You are a resident who is saltwater fishing from land or a structure fixed to land who has been determined eligible for the food stamp, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid Program by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Proof of identification and a benefit issuance or program identification card issued by DCFS or the Agency for Health Care Administration must be on your person when fishing.
For more information, please contact our office.
Shoreline License and Exemptions
Florida’s resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to obtain a Resident Shoreline Saltwater Fishing License, unless they have a Resident Saltwater Fishing License or a privilege that includes a saltwater fishing license. The Resident Shoreline Saltwater Fishing License is free.
Florida requires nonresidents to have a nonresident saltwater fishing license. Anyone who is exempt from purchasing a saltwater fishing license is also exempt from purchasing the shoreline license including:
- Any individual under 16 years of age.
- Any resident fishing in saltwater from a licensed fishing pier.
- Florida residents 65 years of age and older. You must carry your Florida driver license or proof of age and residency.
- Any individual fishing from a boat that has been issued a vessel saltwater fishing license.
- Military personnel who are residents of Florida and are home on leave for a period of 30 days or less and have valid orders in their possession.
- Residents who are totally and permanently disabled and they must present authorized disability statements with proof of residency.
- Any resident who is fishing with live or natural bait, using poles or lines that are not equipped with a fishing‐line‐retrieval mechanism and you are fishing for noncommercial purposes in your home county. However, you must have a valid fishing license to fish by any method in a fish management area.
- Residents receiving food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid (must have the identification card and positive proof of identification in his or her possession when fishing).
- Residents fishing in their county of residence who use cane poles or other gear that does not depend on mechanical retrieval.
For more information, please contact our office.