What will it cost? Calculator
Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026. Listed prices include the issuance fee allowed under Florida law. A license agent may add a further $0.50.
How long annual licenses last: Annual licenses expire 12 months from the date of issue. Secondary source: Palm Beach County Tax Collector
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident freshwater fishing license (3 days) | Fresh | 3 days | $17 | Official source |
| Non-resident freshwater fishing license (7 days) | Fresh | 7 days | $30 | Official source |
| Non-resident freshwater fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $47 | Official source |
| Non-resident saltwater fishing license (3 days) | Salt | 3 days | $17 | Official source |
| Non-resident saltwater fishing license (7 days) | Salt | 7 days | $30 | Official source |
| Non-resident saltwater fishing license | Salt | Annual | $47 | Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident freshwater fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $17 | Official source |
| Resident freshwater fishing license (5 years) | Fresh | 5 years | $79 | Official source |
| Resident saltwater fishing license | Salt | Annual | $17 | Official source |
| Resident saltwater fishing license (5 years) | Salt | 5 years | $79 | Official source |
| Resident freshwater and saltwater combination | FreshSalt | Annual | $32.50 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Resident saltwater shoreline-only license | Salt | Annual | Free |
Only for: Only from the shore or a structure fixed to the shore. Not from a boat, a shore reached by boat, or while swimming or diving. Official source |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Snook permit
Annual $10
5 year resident only $50Taking or trying to take snook, including from the shore
Everyone · salt water Official source
-
Spiny lobster permit
Annual $5
5 year resident only $25Taking or trying to take spiny lobster
Everyone · salt water Official source
-
Tarpon tag
$51.50Landing (keeping) a tarpon. No exemptions.
Everyone · salt water · Tax collector offices only Official source
-
State Reef Fish Angler designation
FreeAged 16 or over and fishing for certain reef fish from a private boat. No exemptions.
Everyone · salt water Official source
-
Shore-based shark fishing permit
FreeAged 16 or over and fishing for sharks from shore, piers, jetties or bridges. Free after an online course. No exemptions.
Everyone · salt water Official source
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone under 16
FreshSalt Everyone Official source
-
Florida residents aged 65 or over
FreshSalt Residents · Proof: A Florida driver's license or ID card, or the free Resident 65+ Hunt/Fish Certificate Official source
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Totally and permanently disabled Florida residents
FreshSalt Residents · check this applies to you · Proof: A Florida Resident Disabled Person's Hunting and Fishing License Official source
-
Passengers on a licensed charter, guide or party boat
Salt Everyone · check this applies to you Official source
-
Anyone fishing from a pier that holds a saltwater pier license
Salt Everyone · check this applies to you Official source
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Florida residents fishing in their home county with live or natural bait and a pole or line with no reel
FreshSalt Residents Official source
-
Anyone, on Florida's free fishing days
FreshSalt Everyone Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in Florida, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with FWC before you go.
- Sat, Nov 28, 2026 Saturday after Thanksgiving Salt
- Apr 3–4, 2027 First Saturday and Sunday in April Fresh
- Jun 5–6, 2027 First Saturday and Sunday in June Salt
- Jun 12–13, 2027 Second Saturday and Sunday in June Fresh
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: First Saturday and Sunday in April; Second Saturday and Sunday in June; First Saturday and Sunday in June; First Saturday in September; Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- Anyone who has declared Florida as their only state of residence, shown by a Florida driver license or ID card with a Florida address and residency verified by the DHSMV. No minimum period is stated. Residents without one can use a Florida voter registration card, declaration of domicile or homestead exemption instead.
- Military
- Active-duty US military stationed in Florida, and spouses and dependent children living in the household, count as residents with Florida military orders.
How to buy a Florida fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online, by phone, at county tax collector offices and at license agents. The tarpon tag is sold at tax collector offices only.
- Online
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission license sales
- Phone
- 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356)
- App
- Fish|Hunt FL
- ID needed
- Residents prove residency with a Florida driver license or ID card (or another listed document) to buy a resident license.
Online sales add a handling fee of $2.25 or $1.75 plus a 2.95% surcharge on the total. Phone sales add $6.25 plus a 2.95% surcharge per person. The Fish|Hunt FL app can buy, renew and store licenses; FWC doesn't say on these pages whether a license shown on a phone is accepted.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026It depends on the boat and where you fish.
In salt water, passengers on a licensed charter, guide or party boat don't need their own license, and nor does anyone fishing from a pier that holds a saltwater pier license. This exemption is for salt water only, so on freshwater guided trips plan on each angler needing their own license unless another exemption applies.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check FWC's rules before you book.
Border waters
St Marys River and Lake Seminole (Florida–Georgia)
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
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check FWC's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide general rules. Local waters, fish management areas and federal waters can differ. Freshwater game fish: no more than two days' bag limit in possession.
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass Fresh Also: largemouth bass, Florida bass |
Statewide | No minimum for largemouth (Florida) bass; Suwannee, shoal, spotted and Choctaw bass 12" minimum | 5 in total, only 1 of them 16" or longer | – |
| Shoal bass must be released in the Chipola River; Suwannee bass in the Wakulla River. Official source Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Black crappie Fresh Also: speckled perch, specks |
Statewide | No statewide limit; some waters have minimum or slot limits | 25 | – |
| Official source Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Panfish Fresh Also: bluegill, bream, redear sunfish, shellcracker |
Statewide | No statewide limit | 50 in total | – |
| Official source Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Striped, white and sunshine bass Fresh | Statewide | Only 6 may be 24" or longer | 20 in total | – |
| Striped, white and sunshine bass | Suwannee River, waters north and west of it, and tributaries | Striped bass 18" minimum | Striped bass 3 (within 20 in total) | – |
| Official source Striped bass limits in other states | ||||
| Butterfly peacock bass Fresh | Statewide | Only 1 may be 17" or longer | 2 | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Snook Salt | Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay | 28" to 33" total length | 1 | Closed Dec 1 to end of Feb, and May 1 to Aug 31 |
| Snook | Charlotte Harbor, Southwest | 28" to 33" total length | 1 | Closed Dec 1 to end of Feb, and May 1 to Sep 30 |
| Snook | Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast | 28" to 32" total length | 1 | Closed Dec 15 to Jan 31, and Jun 1 to Aug 31 |
| Snook permit needed as well as a saltwater license. Captain and crew on for-hire trips may not keep any. Official source | ||||
| Red drum Salt Also: redfish |
Panhandle, Big Bend, Northeast | 18" to 27" total length | 1 Boat: 4 per boat |
Open all year |
| Red drum | Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast | 18" to 27" total length | 1 Boat: 2 per boat |
Open all year |
| Red drum | Indian River Lagoon | – | 0 (catch and release only) | – |
| Captain and crew on for-hire trips may not keep a bag limit. Official source Red drum (redfish) limits in other states | ||||
| Spotted seatrout Salt Also: speckled trout, specks |
Panhandle | 15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag | 3 | Closed in February |
| Spotted seatrout | Big Bend | 15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag | 5 | Open all year |
| Spotted seatrout | Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast | 15" to 19"; 1 over 19" per boat (or per person from shore), within the bag | 3 | Open all year |
| Spotted seatrout | Indian River Lagoon | 15" to 19"; none over 19" | 2 | Closed Nov 1 to Dec 31 |
| Spotted seatrout | Northeast | 15" to 19"; none over 19" | 3 | Open all year |
| Official source Spotted seatrout limits in other states | ||||
| Flounder Salt | Statewide | 14" minimum | 5 | Closed Oct 15 to Nov 30 |
| Official source Flounder limits in other states | ||||
| Sheepshead Salt | Statewide | 12" minimum | 8 Boat: 50 per trip in March and April |
Open all year |
| Official source | ||||
| Florida pompano Salt | Statewide | 11" fork length minimum | 6 | Open all year |
| Hook and line, cast net, and beach or haul seine only. Official source | ||||
| Cobia Salt | Statewide | 36" fork length minimum | 1 Boat: 2 per boat, or 1 per person if lower |
– |
| Official source Cobia limits in other states | ||||
| Tarpon Salt | Statewide | – | 0: catch and release only. One tarpon tag per person per year, only when pursuing a state or world record Boat: 1 fish |
– |
| Tarpon over 40" must stay in the water. Hook and line only. Official source | ||||
| Spiny lobster Salt | Statewide | Carapace over 3", measured in the water | – | Regular season Aug 6 to Mar 31 |
| Spiny lobster | Two-day sport season | Carapace over 3" | 12; 6 in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park | Last Wednesday and Thursday of July (2027: Jul 28 to 29) |
| Lobster permit needed as well as a saltwater license. Official source | ||||
| Red snapper Salt | Set each year: check here. Seasons are set each year and can change at short notice. Check FWC for current dates and limits. | |||
| Gag grouper Salt | Set each year: check here. Seasons are set each year and can change at short notice. Check FWC for current dates and limits. | |||
Compare Florida with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in Florida?
Yes, if you are 16 or older and fish public waters in Florida, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone under 16; Florida residents aged 65 or over.
How much is a non-resident fishing license in Florida?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026 are $17 for one day (Non-resident freshwater fishing license (3 days)); $30 for seven days (Non-resident freshwater fishing license (7 days)); $47 for a year (Non-resident freshwater fishing license). Listed prices include the issuance fee allowed under Florida law. A license agent may add a further $0.50.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Florida?
Senior options for residents: Free (fresh + salt): Florida residents aged 65 or over. Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
When is the next free fishing day in Florida?
Sat, Nov 28, 2026 (Saturday after Thanksgiving).
How do I get a fishing license in Florida?
Buy it from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Sold online, by phone, at county tax collector offices and at license agents. The tarpon tag is sold at tax collector offices only.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in Florida?
It depends on the boat and where you fish. In salt water, passengers on a licensed charter, guide or party boat don't need their own license, and nor does anyone fishing from a pier that holds a saltwater pier license. This exemption is for salt water only, so on freshwater guided trips plan on each angler needing their own license unless another exemption applies.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 20 source pages
- myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/general/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/cobia/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/permit/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/sheepshead/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/
- myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-a-license/
- myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-one/free-fishing/
- myfwc.com/license/recreational/florida-residency/
- myfwc.com/license/recreational/freshwater-fishing/
- myfwc.com/license/recreational/how-to-order/
- myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/
- www.eregulations.com/florida/fishing/freshwater/licenses
- Palm Beach County Tax Collector secondary
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