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FLORIDA FISHING LICENSES & REGULATIONS

Please note that we are NOT an official site for the State of Florida in any capacity. This website tries to give you a quick overview of the requirements here in Florida, but it is up to to you check this information out to ensure that it is correct. We could be wrong. We put the marine fisheries website link on this page.

SALTWATER FISHING LICENSES FOR FLORIDA: (April 2002 from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries, publication of Fishing Regulations)
Sold at all county tax collectors offices and many bait and tackle shops. You can also get them over the phone at 1-888-347-4356. You can also get them online at www.marinefisheries.org .

To be a Florida resident for the purposes of a license - you have resided here for six months and have an intent to claim Florida as your permanent residence. You are also a Florida resident if you are a member of the US Armed forces who is stationed in this state. Florida residents may buy a lifetime saltwater fishing license or lifetime sportsman license. This lifetime license includes snook and crawfish (lobster). In 2002 a one year saltwater license costs Florida residents $13.50,  $61.50 for a five year license, and $301.50 for a lifetime license.

Nonresidents in 2002 pay $6.50 for a three day license, $16.50 for seven days, or $31.50 for one year. Snook or lobster are each $2 additional.

NO LICENSE IS REQUIRED WHEN:
Under 16 years - Florida resident fishing from land or something attached to land like a pier or bridge - if you're fishing from a for-hire fishing boat that has a valid license - Florida resident 65 or older - Florida resident in the armed services not stationed in Florida while on leave for 30 days or less - a nonresident fishing from a pier that has a valid pier saltwater fishing license - fishing from a boat that has a valid recreational vessel license . See the regs for more details.

SPEARFISHING: (April 2002)
The use of powerheads, bangsticks and rebreathers are prohibited. The following is a list in April 2002 of species that are PROHIBITED from being taken by spearfishing:
Billfish - Bonefish - Nassau grouper - Pompano - Spotted Eagle Ray - Tarpon - Spotted seatrout - African pompano - Sturgeon - Jewfish - Red drum - Permit - Manta Ray - Snook - Weakfish - Tripletail - Sharks - Blue Crab - Stone Crab - Lobster - Horseshoe Crab - Families of ornamental reef fish (surgeonfish, trumpetfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, porcupinefish, cornetfish, squirrelfish, trunkfish, damselfish, parrotfish, pipefish, seahorse, puffers, triggerfish except gray).

Prohibitions on Spearfishing also include:
No spearfishing in freshwater - no possession of speargun in or on freshwater - within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial or public fishing pier or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed - within 100' of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of the sea except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1500 yards from the shoreline - In Collier County & in Monroe County ( Fl Keys) from Long Key north to the Dade County Line - any waters under jurisdiction of Dept of Environmental Protection, Div of Recreation & Parks.

FOR CURRENT REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION:  Florida - www.marinefsiheries.org

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Boot Key Harbor website created and maintained by Capt. Gregory T. Absten, Marathon.  - A Boater's Guide to the Florida Keys & Cuba
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