Florida · Fishing license · Age
What age do you need a fishing license in Florida?
From 16 until you turn 65, if you live in Florida.
The ages that matter
Under 16
No license needed
Children can fish without one. Everything else still applies though — limits, sizes and seasons do not change with age.
16 to 64
License required
Carry it with you while fishing.
65 and up
Exempt, residents only
Visitors 65 and over still need one — the exemption is for Florida residents.
How FWC words it
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.
Quoted rather than paraphrased. With rules that carry a fine, the exact wording is the point.
Other ways to be exempt
Age is one route. FWC lists these as well.
- 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)
