How to Get a Florida Saltwater Fishing License

Florida offers plenty of places to fish in salt water.

The state of Florida considers itself to be the fishing capital of the world. Throughout the state, there are numerous rivers, ponds and lakes from which visitors and residents alike can fish for food, fun or profit. Even more alluring than the lakes, however, is the tremendous expanse of salt water in and around Florida. There is no place in Florida that is more than 60 miles from the coast. In order to take full advantage of the abundant opportunities to enjoy saltwater fishing, you will need a license in most cases.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine where and how you plan to fish. There are a number of ways to fish in salt water in Florida. You can fish directly from the shore or a pier, or you can take a boat out into the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. You can also purchase a spot on a party fishing boat, or charter a boat for a morning or a day and let a boat captain or fishing guide take you out.

2. Determine if you are exempt from requiring a saltwater fishing license. There are many exemptions to the saltwater fishing requirement. Children under the age of 16 are exempt, as are Florida residents aged 65 or older, with a no-cost senior citizen hunting and fishing certificate. Likewise, Florida residents who are totally and permanently disabled and military personnel who are Florida residents not stationed in Florida and at home on leave for less than 30 days do not need fishing licenses.

3. Determine if a saltwater fishing license is needed for the type of fishing you intend to do. If you are going to fish from a for-hire vessel, from a boat in which the operator has a vessel license or from a pier with a pier license, you will not be required to hold a saltwater fishing license.

4. Determine what type of license you will need. There are many options and license packages to chose from. Annual sportsman's packages are available, which include all forms of hunting and fishing, for $100 for Florida residents as of June 2011. Also available are saltwater/freshwater/hunting combination licenses, and saltwater/freshwater combos. If you only intend to do saltwater fishing, then a single saltwater fishing license will be all you need. If you are a Florida resident, you can purchase an annual saltwater license for $17. For nonresidents, an annual license will cost $47, but there are also three- and seven-day licenses available for $17 and $30, respectively, if you are only planning a short trip.

5. Determine if there are any special permits you will need. For certain species, a special permit or tag will be required in addition to the saltwater license. To fish for snook, you need a $10 annual permit. To take lobsters, you will need a $5 permit and to fish for tarpon, you are required to purchase a special tag for $51.50.

6. Purchase your saltwater fishing license. There are a number of avenues from which to obtain a Florida fishing license. You can purchase a license directly from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by visiting their website (see Resources) or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA. You can also purchase a fishing license from any sporting goods store in Florida, as well as in the sporting goods section of Walmart, or you can visit the local tax collector's office.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are a Florida resident, you will be required to show proof of residency. Proof of residency can include a Florida driver license or identification card, a homestead exemption certificate, a landlord certification, a voter registration card or a military ID.

References

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Resources

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission