Florida Recreational Saltwater Fishing License Requirements

Before you wet a line in Florida, you should read below and determine if you are required to have a recreational saltwater fishing license. These requirements below are for 2009.

FLORIDA RESIDENTS:

Florida residents ARE required to possess a valid fishing license. However, there are quite a few exceptions.

If you are under 16 years of age or older than 65 years of age, you are exempt. Disabled residents are also exempt from the saltwater licensing. In addition, if you are a military member in another state whose residency is still Florida, and you come home for 30 days or less, you are not required to obtain a license. Futhermore, you do NOT need a saltwater license if you're a Florida resident surf fishing or fishing from land or a structure fixed to land like a jetty or dock.

When you charter a boat in the state of Florida, you won't need to purchase a license because its already included in their vessel license. Along a similar line, when you're fishing from a pier in Florida you don't need a license because the piers usually all have their own licensing.

Florida Resident licenses are $17, good for an entire year. There is also a Lifetime license available to residents at the tax collector's office.

VISITORS to FLORIDA:

Nonresidents of Florida ARE required to have a valid fishing license to fish Florida salt waters. Those under 16 are exempt. Like with residents, if you charter a boat in Florida or fish from a pier, you won't need a license.

Licenses for visitors are available in the following: year long license ($47), 7-day ($30), and 3-day ($17).

ADDITIONAL LICENSES:

In addition to the regular saltwater licenses, if a visitor or resident wishes to fish for snook, lobster, or tarpon, you will need an additional permit. If you are a resident who is exempt from licensing, you are exempt from these permits too. Snook and lobster permits are $2 and the tarpon tag is $51.50.

For offshore and bluewater fishermen, to posess highly migratory species such as Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Billfish, Swordfish, and certain Shark, you will need to purchase a HMS permit from NMFS.

Both saltwater fishing visitors and residents can buy their licenses (except NMFS and Lifetime Licenses) at the local tax collector's office, tackle shops, and some Wal-Marts. Make sure you take along a source of identification like your drivers license.

There is a detailed chart at MyFWC Online which shows the different types of licenses and their prices.