State of Florida Websites
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida's Division of Freshwater Fishing
Florida is the fishing capital of the world http://www.fishingcapital.com because it is the number one destination for recreational anglers in the US and provides very diverse, year round fishing opportunities.
Our freshwater fisheries web page provides info on how and where to fish as well as the regulations that licensed anglers need to understand (http://www.floridafisheries.com/).
The Florida "go fishing" largemouth bass tag, supports conservation throughout Florida. It is not limited to one species or one location (http://www.myfwc.com/) and tag owners can get a free t-shirt.
Another important fiscal responsibility for the Office of the Tax Collector involves work as an agent for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. In this capacity the Tax Collector is responsible for the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, Florida waterfowl permits, game management permits, the collection of all monies from these sales, and the maintenance of all records associated with such transactions.
Hunting licenses are annual permits effective for one year from date of issuance. Freshwater fishing licenses are good for 12 months from date of issuance. Licenses can be obtained through the Office of the Tax Collector or from a sub-agent. All Florida fishermen must possess a valid fishing license, WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:
- Florida residents 65 years of age and older and children under 16. RESIDENTS who are 65 need only to present proof of age and residency to any Game & Fish Agent, no license is required.
- The "cane pole law" allows a resident to fish in the county of his/her residence with live or natural bait, using poles or hand lines that are not equipped with a reel, for non-commercial purposes; however a valid Fishing License Stamp is required to fish by any method in a Fish Management area. No license permits is required to fish in a private fishing pond.
- Residents who are 100% disabled and present authorized disability statements to the Tax Collector are exempt and will receive a special exemption card.
- Any resident who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, stationed outside of Florida, fishing while home on leave, for 30 days or less upon submission of orders. (The law does not include other family members. This exclusion only applies to fishing.)
A new license being offered by the Florida Game and Freshwater Commission is the Florida Resident Sportsman’s License, costing $67.50. This license satisfies all state requirements for recreational hunting and freshwater fishing for Florida residents. Not included in the Resident Sportsman’s License are the Federal Waterfowl Permits, Resident Trapping License, Resident Commercial Fishing License, Resident Retail Fish Dealer’s License and Saltwater Fishing License.
SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE
Saltwater fishing licenses are good for 12 months from date of issuance. Licenses can be obtained through the Office of the Tax Collector or from a sub-agent. All Florida fishermen must possess a valid fishing license when saltwater fishing, with the following exceptions:
- Florida residents 65 years of age and over and children under 16. RESIDENTS who are 65 and over need only provide proof of age and residency to any Game & Fish Agent. No license is required. A SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE IS REQUIRED FOR:
- Anyone fishing from a pleasure craft. Each person fishing must be able to produce a license.
- Anyone fishing from a sandbar or other land mass that is accessible by boat, or by swimming through water deeper than (4) feet.
- Anyone diving who takes, attempts to take, or possesses any marine fish.
- All non-residents fishing in saltwater (excluding those non-residents fishing from a licensed pier).
- Anyone who operates a vessel whereby a fee is paid either directly or indirectly for the purpose of taking, attempting to take, or possessing any marine fish for non-commercial purposes. A separate license is required for each vessel.
- To fish for snook or crawfish, a special permit is required.
*Information on fees and licenses for residents and non-residents is available from this office.
"RESIDENT": A resident must have lived in Florida for six continuous months prior to the issuance of a license and intends to continue to reside in Florida and claims Florida as their primary residence; any member of the United States Armed Forces who is stationed in this state (includes spouse and dependent children residing in household). "PROOF": may be any of the following:
- Florida Drivers License ("Florida Only " ) or Florida ID card not acceptable
- Military orders showing the applicant is stationed in Florida
- Florida Voter’s Registration Card.
- Statement from landlord.
OR Both of the following:
- Florida Homestead Exemption Receipt
- Florida Motor Vehicle Registration
FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
RESIDENT HUNTING LICENSES:
Annual Hunting - $17.00
Annual Hunting/Fresh Combination - $32.50
Annual Hunting/Saltwater Combination - $32.50
Annual Hunting/Freshwater/Saltwater Combination - $48.00
Resident Senior Citizen Hunting/Fishing Certificate - FREE
Resident Disabled Person Hunting/Fishing License - FREE
NON RESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE:
Annual Hunting (except Alabama residents) - $151.50
Non Resident 10 Day Hunting - $46.50
Non Resident Trapping - $26.50
STAMPS (RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT):
Wildlife Management Area Permit - $26.50
Archery Permit - $5.00
Muzzleloading Gun Permit - $5.00
Turkey Permit - $5.00
Florida Waterfowl Permit - $3.00
Non Resident Turkey Permit- $100.00
FRESH WATER FISHING LICENSE FEES:
Resident 12 -Month Fishing (Valid for 12 months from date of purchase - $17.00
Resident Fishing/Hunting Combination (Valid for 12 months from purchase) - $32.50
Non-resident 7-Day continuous (Valid from date designated as first day of fishing) - $30.00
Non-resident 12 Month (Valid for 12 months from date of purchase) - $47.00
SALTWATER FISHING LICENSES:
Resident Licenses:
1-Year - $17.00
NON-RESIDENT LICENSES:
3-Day - $17.00
7-Day - $30.00
1-Year - $47.00
PRIVILEGE STAMPS:
Snook Permit - $2.00
Spiny Lobster Permit - $2.00
NOTE: if you are exempt from purchasing licenses, you are not required to purchase permits
RESIDENT SPORTSMEN'S LICENSE (includes Hunting and Freshwater Fishing Licenses; Type I Wildlife Management area permits; Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits) - $80.50
LIFETIME AND FIVE-YEAR LICENSES:
Florida Residents who are age 16 or older and who have a valid Florida Driver license that is at least 6 months old now have the option to purchase a Lifetime Freshwater, Lifetime Saltwater, Lifetime Hunting, and Lifetime Sportsman license online at MyFWC.com.
LIFETIME SPORTSMEN'S LICENSE includes: Hunting, Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Crawfish permits:
4 years or younger - $401.50
5-12 years - $701.50
13 and older - $1001.50
64 years or older - $13.50
FIVE-YEAR FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSE - $79.00
LIFETIME FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSE:
4 years or younger - $126.50
5-12 years - $226.50
13 years or older - $301.50
LIFETIME HUNTING LICENSE includes: Hunting License; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits:
4 years or younger - $201.50
5-12 years - $351.50
13 years or older - $501.50
FIVE-YEAR SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE (does not include Snook or crawfish permits or tarpon tags) - $79.00
LIFETIME SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE (includes Snook and Crawfish permits):
4 years or younger - $126.50
5-12 years - $226.50
13 years or older - $301.50