Florida is the saltwater licence question, and the answer has a wrinkle nobody expects: the resident shoreline licence costs nothing and is still compulsory. Fish the salt from the beach, a bridge or a pier attached to land and a Florida resident needs that free licence in their pocket. Step onto a boat and it no longer covers you. Everyone else pays seventeen dollars a year, or forty-seven if they live out of state.
What it costs
Set your situation for the exact saltwater figure. Switching to fresh water here shows what the other licence would cost instead.
Every Florida saltwater fee
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saltwater, 3 days | Visitor | 3 days | $17.00 |
| 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 |
| Saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $17.00 |
| Military Gold Sportsman | Resident | Annual | $20.00 |
| Freshwater + saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $32.50 |
| Saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $47.00 |
| Gold Sportsman, annual Freshwater, saltwater, hunting and the major permits in one. | Resident | Annual | $100.00 |
| Saltwater, 5 years | Resident | 5 years | $79.00 |
Fees verified against FWC on 2026-09-07.
What it covers, and what it does not
The saltwater licence covers taking saltwater fish anywhere in Florida waters, from shore or from a vessel. It does not cover fresh water: Rodman, Okeechobee and the St. Johns need the freshwater licence, and the combination is the cheaper way to hold both. Snook, spiny lobster and tarpon each need their own permit on top, and those are the ones anglers forget.
For the freshwater side of the state, and for the combination options where they exist, see the full Florida licence page.
Where to use it
We track 22 saltwater waters in Florida daily, with live tides and conditions:
- Pensacola — Escambia County
- Destin — Okaloosa County
- Tampa Bay — Pinellas County
- Jacksonville — Duval County
- Navarre — Santa Rosa County
- Panama City Beach — Bay County
- Clearwater — Pinellas County
- Key West — Monroe County
- Islamorada — Monroe County
- Sebastian Inlet — Brevard County
- St. Augustine — St. Johns County
- Homosassa — Citrus County
Questions
How much is a saltwater fishing licence in Florida?
$17.00 for a resident and $47.00 for a visitor, for an annual licence. Short-term options cost less and are listed in the table above.
Does a Florida freshwater licence cover salt water?
No. Florida sells them as separate licences, so a freshwater licence gives you no cover on the coast. Fishing both means two licences, or the combined option where the state offers one.
Is the Florida shoreline saltwater licence really free?
Yes, and it is still mandatory for residents fishing salt water from shore or a structure attached to shore. It does not cover fishing from a vessel, and wardens do check it.
Do I need a licence on a Florida charter boat?
Usually not: most charter and party boats hold a vessel licence covering everyone aboard. Confirm with the operator before you book, not after you are on the water.