Florida · Fishing license
Do I need a fishing license in Florida?
Yes — anyone 16 or older needs one, until you turn 65 as a resident.
A year costs $17 if you live here and $47 if you don't. Just passing through? Freshwater, 3 days costs $17.
There is a free option: Saltwater, shoreline only. Free, residents only. Covers fishing from shore or a structure attached to land — not from a boat, and not from an island you reached by boat.
What it costs
If you live in Florida
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Freshwater, annual | $17 |
| Freshwater, five years | $79 |
| Freshwater, lifetime (age 13 and up)Costs less if bought younger: 126.50 up to age 4, 226.50 for ages 5 to 12. | $301.50 |
| Saltwater, shoreline onlyFree, residents only. Covers fishing from shore or a structure attached to land — not from a boat, and not from an island you reached by boat. | Free |
| Saltwater, annual | $17 |
| Saltwater, five years | $79 |
| Saltwater, lifetime (age 13 and up)Includes the snook and lobster permits. Costs less if bought younger: 126.50 up to age 4, 226.50 for ages 5 to 12. | $301.50 |
| Freshwater and saltwater combination, annualCheaper than buying both separately. | $32.50 |
If you're visiting
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Freshwater, annual | $47 |
| Freshwater, 3 days | $17 |
| Freshwater, 7 days | $30 |
| Saltwater, annual | $47 |
| Saltwater, 3 days | $17 |
| Saltwater, 7 days | $30 |
License agents may add a 50-cent issuance fee. Buying online or by phone adds a surcharge that FWC states on its ordering page; the exact split between the flat fee and the percentage was not unambiguous at retrieval, so check the total before you pay. All sales are final and fees are non-refundable.
How long it lasts
Valid for 12 months from the effective date you choose at purchase. The effective date cannot be set more than 90 days ahead.
Who doesn't need one
- Anyone under 16 years of age
- Florida residents 65 or older, with proof of age or residency
- Florida residents certified totally and permanently disabled who hold the Resident Disabled Person's Hunting and Fishing License
- Florida residents in the Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida, home on leave for 30 days or less
- Anyone watching or filming someone else fish, as long as they are not helping
- Freshwater fishing in your county of residence on your own homestead, or that of your spouse or minor child
- Fishing a private pond of 20 acres or less, entirely within the owner's property
- Florida residents fishing with live or natural bait on a pole or line without a retrieval reel, for non-commercial purposes, in their home county
- Fishing from a for-hire vessel that holds a valid charter license, or a vessel with a recreational saltwater vessel license
- Fishing from a pier that holds a valid saltwater pier license
- Anyone fishing on a license-free fishing day
- Fishing the St. Mary's River or Lake Seminole with a valid Georgia license (Florida tributary creeks excluded)
FWC words the age rule this way: FWC: "Non-residents who are 16 years of age or older are required to have Florida licenses and permits to participate in hunting, freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing." The exemption list names "Youth under 16 years of age" and "Resident seniors age 65 or older with proof of age or residency". The senior exemption applies to residents; no non-resident senior exemption is listed.
Where to buy it
- Online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com
- By phone: 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356)
- In the Fish|Hunt FL app
- At any county tax collector office
- At license agents and tackle retailers listed in FWC's agent finder
Wondering about the big retailers? A shop like Walmart sells the state's license at the state's price — it sets none of its own.
Days you can fish without one
FWC publishes this as a recurring rule rather than a fixed date. Check the exact days on their free fishing page before you plan around it.
