Licenses, Seasons and Limits
Saltwater Fishing Licenses
A recreational saltwater fishing license (this is not the same as the freshwater fishing license) is required of all anglers aged 16 to 65 who fish from a boat. A
saltwater license is also required for recreational shellfishing (shrimping, scalloping, crabbing, etc).
Some professional guides, partyboats or fishing piers may have a license that covers their paying
customers, so a separate individual license may not be required. Ask about the need
for a fishing license at the time you make the charter. A
license is not required of Florida
residents who fish from shore, but they must have some form of
identification that shows their state of
residence (driver's license, voter registration card, etc.). "Fishing from
shore" is defined as fishing
from dry land, a dock, a pier, or wade fishing in water less than 4 feet deep. If
you travel to an island or bar by boat and then get out to fish, you must have a fishing license.
A license is not usually required for those fishing with licensed guides or from partyboats. Recreational fishermen are not
permitted to sell their catch under any circumstances. Those who do so are subject to a substantial
fine.
Annual, 7-day, and 3-day licenses are available for nonresidents. Florida residents can purchase an annual, 5-year or lifetime license, and various combinations of freshwater, saltwater and hunting licenses are available. Fishing license are available at county auto tag offices, bait and tackle shops, and some
large discount stores such as K-Mart or Wal-Mart. For an extra $3.95, you can order an "instant license" by a toll-free telephone call to 1-888-347-4356.
You will be given an ID number to use temporarily until your license arrives by mail - - really great if you put off things until the last minute!
Approximate Prices of Fishing Licenses (May Vary Slightly by Vendor)
Resident Annual - $14
Nonresident 3-day - $7
Nonresident 7-day - $17
Nonresident annual - $32
In addition to the above prices, special extra-cost license stamps are required to harvest snook, crawfish (Florida lobster) or tarpon. "Harvest" means to kill, so a special stamp is not required for catch and release of snook or tarpon.
Charlie Courtney, chas@ufl.edu
Last updated 13 May, 2001