Florida vs Georgia fishing license
For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Florida is $3 cheaper than Georgia. You need a license from age 16 in Florida and in Georgia.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $17 | $10 |
| 3 days | $17 | $17 |
| 7 days | $30 | $31 |
| 1 year | $47 | $50 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $17 | $10 |
| 3 days | $17 | $17 |
| 7 days | $30 | $31 |
| 1 year | $47 | $50 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $17 | $15 |
| Salt water | $17 | $15 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Florida | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Free (fresh + salt): Florida residents aged 65 or over | Resident senior fishing license (65+): $4 (ages 65+) Resident senior lifetime fishing license (65+): $35 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit: Free |
| Next free fishing day | Sat, Nov 28, 2026 Apr 3–4, 2027 Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | It depends on the boat and where you fish | It depends on the boat and where you fish |
| License on your phone | – | – |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Florida fishing license · Georgia fishing license
Shared waters
St Marys River and Lake Seminole (Florida–Georgia) (Florida rules)
Anglers with a valid Georgia fishing license don't need a Florida freshwater license to fish the St Marys River or Lake Seminole. This doesn't cover tributary creeks on the Florida side. Official source2
Chattahoochee River and lakes (Alabama) (Georgia rules)
Anyone meeting Georgia or Alabama license requirements can fish from the banks and in the border section of the Chattahoochee River and Lakes West Point, Walter F. George (Eufaula), Bartletts Ferry (Harding), Goat Rock, Oliver, George W. Andrews and Seminole (the part not covered by the Florida agreement). Not covered: West Point's Chattahoochee arm above the Georgia Highway 109 bridge, Lake Weiss and other tributaries. Live blueback herring cannot be used in the Alabama waters covered. Secondary source: Georgia sport fishing regulations (eRegulations)
Lake Seminole and St. Marys River (Florida) (Georgia rules)
Anyone with a valid Georgia or Florida fishing license (and any permits required) can fish for freshwater species in the St. Marys River (not its tributaries) and the covered part of Lake Seminole. The Georgia Honorary Disability license is not recognized. For saltwater species you need a Georgia license on the Georgia side and a Florida saltwater license on the Florida side of the St. Marys. Each state's rules apply on its own side. Secondary source: Georgia sport fishing regulations (eRegulations)
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass |
| Crappie |
Black crappie Panfish |
bag 30 |
| Striped bass |
Striped, white and sunshine bass |
Striped, white and hybrid bass |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
Red drum |
| Spotted seatrout |
15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag; bag 3 (Panhandle; 4 more) |
14" minimum; bag 15 |
| Flounder |
14" minimum; bag 5 |
12" minimum; bag 15 |
| Cobia |
36" fork length minimum; bag 1 |
36" fork length; bag 1 (6 per boat) |
Questions
Is a Florida fishing license valid in Georgia?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: St Marys River and Lake Seminole (Florida–Georgia); Chattahoochee River and lakes (Alabama); Lake Seminole and St. Marys River (Florida).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Florida or Georgia?
1 day (fresh water): Florida $17, Georgia $10. 1 year (fresh water): Florida $47, Georgia $50.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Florida and Georgia?
You need a license from age 16 in Florida and in Georgia.