How To Get a Florida Fishing License

How to determine if you need a license.

The following individuals do not need to purchase a license:

• Children under 16
• Florida residents aged 65 or older
• Florida residents who are in the military, stationed outside Florida, and home on leave for 30 days or less
• Those fishing on a man-made pond located on private property
• Those fishing with cane poles in their county of residence
• Florida residents fishing in saltwater from land or a structure attached to land
• Florida residents fishing in saltwater from a boat with a vessel fishing license

Try fishing on Free Fishing Weekend.

• If you're not sure that fishing's for you, the first weekend of April is a free fishing weekend. No license is necessary for freshwater fishing in Florida that weekend.

Determine the type of license you need.

You may purchase any of the following types of license:

• Resident 12-month Freshwater OR Saltwater Fishing License: $13.50
• Nonresident 7-Day Freshwater OR Saltwater Fishing License: $16.50
• Nonresident 12-Month Freshwater OR Saltwater Fishing License: $31.50
• Resident 12-month Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing License: $25.50
• Purchase your license. You can purchase your license online if you're willing to pay a $2.25 + 2.5% surcharge. Alternatively, you may purchase your license by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA and pay a $3.25 + 2.5% surcharge. Licenses may be purchased without surcharge at a county tax collector's office or for a small fee at many fishing stores.

What You Need:

• Proof of residency (for Resident licenses)
• Major credit card (for online or telephone purchases)

Recreational Fishing

See the following pages for more information on recreational fishing rules and regulations:

NEW! January 2008, Basic Florida Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations (PDF)

Florida Recreational Freshwater Fishing Regulations

Licenses are now available at http://myfwc.com/license/

Fishing Resources:

• Saltwater Fish Identification 
• Fish Measurement
• RedTide Current Status Information
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Shark Information
• Guides and Outfitters
• Reef Locator
• Tide Charts
• Florida Guide