Florida Freshwater Fishing Licenses
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the agency in Florida that regulates the fishing laws set forth by the state's legislature. Among these laws are several regarding freshwater fishing licenses. Florida has a variety of options for anglers, both resident and non-resident, when it comes to licenses. The state has rules in place that define what a Florida resident is and regulations that make certain individuals exempt from needing a freshwater fishing license.
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Resident Definition
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Florida defines a resident of the state when it comes to a freshwater fishing license as someone who has an established residence in the state for the six continuous months before applying for the license. The person must claim Florida as his or her primary place of residence. Florida considers any United States Armed Forces personnel and their spouses and children stationed in Florida as residents.
Age Exemptions
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Under Florida law, you do not need a freshwater fishing license if you are younger than 16 years of age. Those Florida residents that are 65 years or older do not require a license either. These older anglers should possess proof of both their age and their residency within the state when out fishing. The state tax collectors' offices issue free Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificates to those seniors that qualify for them; these fulfill the requirement to show proof of age and of living in Florida.
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Resident License Options
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The resident 12-month freshwater Florida fishing license is valid for the 12 months after its purchase. Florida residents have the option to buy the freshwater fishing/hunting combination license, the resident freshwater/saltwater license combination or the freshwater/saltwater/hunting combination--all good for one year. Florida residents may purchase a five-year freshwater license or a lifetime freshwater license. These licenses remain valid even if you move out of the state during the time that they cover.
Non-Resident License Options
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As a non-resident desiring to fish in Florida's freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams you have three license choices. Two cover a brief period, three days and seven days, and are good from the date indicated on the license until the number of days passes. The non-resident may also opt for a one-year freshwater fishing license, valid for one year after the purchase date listed on the license.
Other Exemptions
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Other exemptions for the freshwater fishing license include those spouses or minor children fishing on the homestead of their spouse or parents. Florida does not require a freshwater license for certified disabled individuals as long as they have a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate. Armed Forces members home on a leave of 30 days or less that are Florida residents not stationed in Florida do not need a freshwater license to fish.
Cane Pole Exemption
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On August 1, 2009, Florida made effective a regulation that involved anglers fishing with poles or lines that lacked a "fishing-line retrieval mechanism." This law covers those fishermen that utilize equipment such as bamboo cane poles that lack fishing reels. You do not need a freshwater fishing license to fish with these rigs when using live bait or natural bait as long as you do so for noncommercial purposes in the county in which your residence exists. However, you would still need a license when fishing with this type of equipment if in a designated fish management area.
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References
- Photo Credit fishing 1 image by Sorin Alb from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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What has this country become when the government requires a license to do a most basic survival task such as fishing. What next, a license to grow vegetables? Shame on the government , especially the supreme court, for allowing state governments to get away with this. Fee or no fee, No one should be required to obtain a license to fish or to prove how poor they are to be exempt.
