Fishing license: who needs one

Who needs one

• A saltwater fishing license is required to take or attempt to take saltwater fish, crabs, clams, marine plants or other saltwater organisms (other than non-living seashells, and lionfish with certain gear). FWC source
• If you cast a line or catch and release, you need a fishing license. FWC source
• Anyone helping with the catch (for example baiting hooks) must also be licensed; someone only watching or filming and not assisting is exempt. FWC source

Free resident saltwater shoreline license

• Florida residents who only saltwater fish from land or a structure attached to land (piers, bridges, jetties, seawalls) can get the no-cost Resident Annual Saltwater Shoreline Fishing License.
• Wading counts as shore fishing as long as you can stand on the bottom and did not arrive by boat.
• It does not cover fishing from a boat, from a shoreline or island you reached by boat, or taking fish by swimming or diving.
• Non-residents are not eligible; they need a regular non-resident saltwater license unless fishing from a licensed pier or on a licensed charter.
• If you already hold a regular saltwater license (or a combo that includes saltwater), you do not need the shoreline license.

Costs

Prices from FWC include the issuance fee allowed by statute; a vendor may add a 50¢ issuance fee. Online orders add a handling fee ($2.25, or $1.75 + 2.95% of the sale); phone orders add $6.25 + 2.95% per person. All sales are final.

Exemptions

Under Florida Statute 379.353, these anglers do not need a saltwater fishing license (summary; see FWC for exact conditions):

• Youth under 16.
• Florida residents 65 or older with proof of age and residency (such as a Florida driver license or ID), or the optional no-cost Resident 65+ Hunt/Fish Certificate.
• Florida residents certified as totally and permanently disabled who hold the Resident Disabled Person's Hunting and Fishing License.
• Florida residents in the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside Florida and home on leave for 30 days or less (with orders).
• Anyone fishing from a pier that holds a valid saltwater pier license.
• Anyone fishing from a licensed for-hire vessel (charter, guide, party boat) or from a vessel with a recreational saltwater vessel license.
• Everyone on a license-free saltwater fishing day: first Saturday and Sunday in June, first Saturday in September, and the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Seasons, bag and size limits still apply.
• Florida residents fishing from land or a structure fixed to land who are eligible for SNAP (food stamps), temporary cash assistance or Medicaid, carrying ID and their benefit card.
• Florida residents fishing in their home county with live or natural bait on a pole or line with no reel (line-retrieval mechanism), for noncommercial purposes.

Exemptions do not waive permits that FWC lists as having no exemptions, such as the shore-based shark fishing permit and tarpon tag.

How to get one

• Online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, the state's approved online license provider.
• In person at a license agent (many bait and tackle shops) or a county tax collector's office.
• By phone: 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).
• In the FWC Fish|Hunt FL app (Apple and Android), which can also store your license.

Sources

• FWC: Recreational Saltwater Licenses & Permits
• FWC: Saltwater Shoreline Fishing Information (FAQ)
• FWC: What Exemptions May Apply?
• FWC: How to Order
• FWC: License-Free Fishing Days
• FWC: Florida residency for licenses
• Go Outdoors Florida (official online license sales)