Florida sells freshwater and saltwater as two separate licences, and that single fact is behind most of the confusion people arrive with. Fish Rodman Reservoir in the morning and the flats off Cedar Key in the afternoon and you have used two different licences, unless you bought the combination. The state also runs the one genuinely free licence worth knowing about: the resident shoreline saltwater licence costs nothing but is still mandatory, and wardens do check it.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Florida fishing fee
Annual licences run 12 months from the date of purchase.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater, 3 days | Visitor | 3 days | $17.00 |
| Saltwater, 3 days | Visitor | 3 days | $17.00 |
| Freshwater, 7 days | Visitor | 7 days | $30.00 |
| Saltwater, 7 days | Visitor | 7 days | $30.00 |
| Saltwater shoreline only Free but mandatory. Shore and structures attached to shore only, never from a vessel. | Resident | Annual | Free |
| Silver Sportsman, 64 and over | Resident | Annual | $13.50 |
| Freshwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $17.00 |
| Saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $17.00 |
| Youth freshwater, ages 8-15 Optional. Valid until the holder turns 17. | Resident | Annual | $17.00 |
| Military Gold Sportsman | Resident | Annual | $20.00 |
| Freshwater + saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $32.50 |
| Freshwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $47.00 |
| Saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $47.00 |
| Gold Sportsman, annual Freshwater, saltwater, hunting and the major permits in one. | Resident | Annual | $100.00 |
| Freshwater, 5 years | Resident | 5 years | $79.00 |
| Saltwater, 5 years | Resident | 5 years | $79.00 |
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Florida extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Snook permit | Required to keep snook. $50 for a resident 5-year. | $10.00 |
| Spiny lobster permit | Required to harvest spiny lobster. $25 for a resident 5-year. | $5.00 |
| Tarpon tag | Required to possess or transport a tarpon. Sold only at tax collector offices. | $51.50 |
Who fishes free in Florida
- Anglers under 16, resident or not.
- Florida residents 65 and older, with proof of age and residency.
- Anyone fishing on a licensed pier or from a vessel with a valid vessel licence.
- Everyone on the state free fishing days.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 33 Florida waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Lake Okeechobee — Palm Beach County
- Pensacola — Escambia County
- Destin — Okaloosa County
- Tampa Bay — Pinellas County
- Jacksonville — Duval County
- Lake Tohopekaliga — Osceola County
- Lake Istokpoga — Highlands County
- Navarre — Santa Rosa County
- Panama City Beach — Bay County
- Clearwater — Pinellas County
- Key West — Monroe County
- Islamorada — Monroe County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Florida?
$17.00 for a resident annual freshwater licence and $47.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Florida?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Florida fishing licence online?
Yes. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
Do I need separate freshwater and saltwater licences in Florida?
Yes. Florida sells them separately, so fishing both sides means either two licences or the combined option listed in the fee table.
Is the Florida shoreline fishing licence really free?
Yes, and it is still compulsory. Residents fishing salt water from shore or from a structure attached to shore pay nothing but must hold the shoreline licence. Step onto a boat and it no longer covers you.
Do I need a licence on a Florida charter or party boat?
Usually not: most charter and party boats hold a vessel licence that covers everyone aboard. Confirm with the operator before you book rather than after you are on the water.