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Recreational Saltwater Fishing License(s) Requirements:

Lifetime Licenses | Recreational Fishing Licenses | For-Hire Licenses
Vessel & Pier Licenses | Residency Requirements | Other Saltwater Licenses

Lifetime Licenses

The FWC issues Lifetime Licenses to Florida residents for hunting, freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Funds generated from the sale of these licenses will be invested, creating an endowment to support the long-term conservation of Florida's wildlife and fisheries resources.

For avid sportsmen who want the convenience of securing licensing, once and for all, for all your hunting, freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing activities, the Lifetime Sportsman's License is for you. Lifetime Licenses will remain valid for use in Florida even if you move out of state. For hunters and anglers who like a bargain, the cost of a Lifetime License is less than what would be spent on annual licenses, permits, and fees. The earlier the purchase is made, the bigger the savings. The Lifetime License is for parents, grandparents, and family friends who want to pass on the joys of outdoor recreation to young people and help ensure that today's youth have the natural resources to share hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing with their children.

The Lifetime License is for conservationists who want to contribute to the long-term management of Florida's natural resources. Only interest from the trust fund will be appropriated. The principal will be held in perpetuity to ensure future funding for fish and wildlife programs. This endowment will ensure that Florida's natural resources are conserved today for the future and that your children can pass on your family's hunting and fishing tradition to their children.

Purchase a Lifetime License

Recreational Saltwater Fishing License

You do not need a license if you are:

  • Any child under 16 years of age.
  • Any resident who is a member of the United States Armed Forces and not stationed in this state, when home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.
  • Any person fishing who has been accepted as a client for developmental disabilities services by the Children and Family Services, provided the department furnishes proof thereof.
  • Any resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to the land.
  • Any person fishing from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid vessel license.
  • Any person fishing from a vessel, the operator of which has a valid vessel license issued in the name of the operator of the vessel.
  • Any person who holds a valid saltwater products license (SPL).
  • Any person fishing for recreational purposes from a pier that has been issued a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
  • Any resident fishing for a saltwater species in fresh water from land or from a structure fixed to land.
  • Any resident fishing for mullet in fresh water who has a valid Florida freshwater fishing license.
  • Any resident 65 years of age or older who has in her or his possession proof of age and residency or a no-cost Florida Resident Senior Citizen license. A no-cost license may be obtained from any tax collector's office upon proof of age and residency and must be in the possession of the resident during hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing activities. 
  • Any employee of the commission who takes freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or game as part of employment with the commission, or any other person authorized by commission permit to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or game for scientific or educational purposes.

Disability Exemption Update

Help Florida Conserve: Purchase a License Even if Exempt

Purchase a Recreational Fishing License

For-Hire License (Charter, Headboat, and Guide Operations)

Charter, headboat and guide operations require this license to cover your passengers who are not required to hold a recreational fishing license.

For-Hire Licenses

 

CHARTER CAPTAIN - 4 OR LESS CUSTOMERS $ 201.50
CHARTER CAPTAIN - 10 OR LESS CUSTOMERS $ 401.50
CHARTER CAPTAIN - 11 OR MORE CUSTOMERS $ 801.50
CHARTER BOAT - 4 OR LESS CUSTOMERS $ 201.50
CHARTER BOAT - 6 OR LESS CUSTOMERS $ 401.50
CHARTER BOAT - 10 OR LESS CUSTOMERS $ 401.50
CHARTER BOAT - 11 OR MORE CUSTOMERS $ 801.50
** Note that the costs include tax collector surcharge  

In order to purchase a charter boat license, you must register your boat as a commercial vessel. The vessel registration documentation will be required in order to obtain a state vessel license.

The license can be purchased at your local tax collectors office.  The county you are doing business in may require you to have an occupational license.

The Coast Guard requires a Captain's License for all operators of for-hire vessels. In order to purchase a charter captain's license, you must have a Captain's license. You can call 1-800-982-9374 for information on the Coast Guard Captain's license. This documentation will be required in order to obtain a state vessel license.

If you are operating a for-hire vessel in a Park or a Refuge, you may be required to have additional permits (example: Everglades National Park). Please check with the local Park or Refuge headquarters for any specific permitting requirements for those areas.

If you are operating a for-hire vessel in federal waters (outside of 9 nautical miles on the Gulf and 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic), some species do require a federal charter vessel/headboat permit in order to fish for them. Contact the National Marine Fisheries Management Service, Licensing and Permitting office at (727) 824-5326 for information on federal charter/headboat permits.

Vessel and Pier Licenses

Optional Licenses (Not Required)

Vessel - Recreational
 
An optional license that is available to cover anyone saltwater fishing from a recreational vessel where no fee is paid.
$ 2,001.50
Saltwater Fishing Pier

An optional license issued to an owner, operator or custodian of a pier to cover everyone saltwater fishing from such pier.
$ 501.50
** Note that the costs include tax collector surcharge  

 

The license can be purchased at your local tax collectors office.

Additional License Information

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