The law in Florida says that anyone who takes, attempts to take, or possesses marine fish for non commercial purposes must have a saltwater fishing license.  The money collected from saltwater fishing licenses is used to improve and restore fish habitat, and for marine fisheries research, law enforcement and public education on Marine resources.

Florida Residents
You are a Florida resident if you:

l Have lived continuously in Florida for six months or have established legal residence in Florida.
l Are a member or the United Sates Armed Forces stationed in Florida.
l Are a student enrolled at a college or university in Florida.

Florida residents may buy a lifetime Saltwater Fishing License, or a lifetime Sportsman License. Holders of Lifetime Saltwater Fishing Licenses may fish in saltwater for their lifetime at no additional fee. The fee includes the taking of snook and crawfish would otherwise require a separate fee. A Lifetime Sportsman License allows holders to fish in freshwater or saltwater and to hunt in Florida. Both require holders to obey fishing or hunting laws in effect at any given time.

You do not need a license if you are:

l A Florida resident fishing from land or a structure fixed to the land - a pier, bridge, dock, floating dock, or jetty or similar structure, but not a boat.
l A Florida resident who is 65 years old or older.
l A Florida resident who is member of the United States Armed Forces stationed outside of Florida and home on leave for 30 days or less. (You must submit your orders as proof).
l A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in freshwater - with a valid Florida freshwater fishing license.
l A Florida resident fishing for saltwater fish in freshwater from land or from structure fixed to the land.
l Under 16 years of age.
l Fishing from a boat which has a valid recreational vessel saltwater fishing license.
l A non-resident fishing from a pier which has a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
l Holder of a valid commercial saltwater products license - other than the owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel for which a saltwater fishing license is required. (Only one person fishing under a vessel saltwater products license may claim the exemption at any time).
l Accepted by the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services (HRS) for developmental services, or assigned by a court to an HRS rehabilitation program that involves training in Florida aquatic resources.
l A Florida resident who is permanently and totally disabled may obtain a permanent saltwater fishing license at no charge from a county tax collector.

Other Useful Information

Nets

The following types of nets may be used for recreational purposes in the state waters of Florida.
l  Bully nets
l  Cast nets
l   Landing or dip nets
l   Push nets

Traps

Tarps may be used for recreational purposes for stone crab, blue crab, shrimp, pinfish and black sea bass pursuant to the appropriate regulations.

Hook-and-line gear

To help avoid entangling and injury of people as well as marine and shore life, hook-and-line gear must be tended at all times. It is agains the law to intentionally discard any monofilamentnetting or line into or onto the waters of the satate of Florida.  Monofilament line can - and does - entangle birds, marine mammals marine turtles and other marine life, killing or injuring them.

Explosives, etc...

The use of explosives, chemicals, or the discharge of firearms into the water to kill or harvest marine life is against the law. It also is against the law to land any food fish that has been damaged by explosives.

Protected Species

It is agains the law to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell or exchange the following fishes: jewfish, sawfish, sawshark, basking shark, whale shark, spotted eagle ray and sturgeon.

In emergencies or if state saltwater fishing laws are being violated - call 1-800-DIALFMP, or for cellular phone users throughout the state, *FMP.

For updated information call the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission in Tallahassee at (904) 4870554.

florfislicin