Freshwater Fishing License Information

Anyone freshwater fishing in Florida must possess a valid freshwater fishing license, excluding those entitled to exemptions.

Freshwater Fishing License Exemptions:

Pursuant to Florida Statute 379.354, the following individuals are EXEMPT from recreational hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing licenses as well as Florida waterfowl, migratory bird, deer, turkey, snook, spiny lobster, archery, crossbow, muzzle-loading and management area permit requirements (unless noted, these exemptions do not apply to federal duck stamp requirements):

• Resident seniors age 65 or older with proof of age or residency (such as a valid Florida Driver's License or ID Card) or possessing an optional Resident 65+ Hunt/Fish Certificate (available at no-cost online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or at county tax collectors' offices)
  
• Florida residents certified as totally and permanently disabled, who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate.
  
• Youth under 16 years of age (also exempt from federal duck stamp requirements).
  
• Anyone possessing a Resident Freshwater Commercial Fishing License.
  
• Florida residents who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces and not stationed in Florida, while home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.
  
• Florida residents fishing in the county of his or her residence with live or natural bait, using poles or hand lines that are not equipped with a reel or other line retrieval mechanism (cane pole), for noncommercial purposes.
  
• Anyone fishing in their county of residence on the homestead of their spouse or minor child, or any minor child fishing on the homestead of their parent.
  
• Individuals who are observing or filming someone else who is fishing or hunting and who are not assisting (baiting hooks, reeling, setting decoys, calling birds, etc.) in the take in any way.
  
• Disabled veterans or active or reserve duty military service members and their immediate family members and assistants, who are participating in a permitted outdoor recreational event, for which the Commission has issued a Military/Disabled Veteran Event License Exemption Permit to the event organizer.
  
• Those hunting for wild hog on private land.
  

In addition, the following are exempt from a freshwater fishing license:

• Florida residents accepted as a client for developmental disabilities services by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The agency must furnish proof to such clients.
  
• Those fishing in a fish pond of 20 acres or less which is located entirely within the private property of its owner. A fish pond is a man-made pond constructed for the primary purpose of fishing, entirely within the property lines of the owner and with no surface water connection to public waters.
  
• Individuals fishing in a fish pond of 20 acres or more, whose owner has purchased a fish pond license at a fee of $3 per surface acre.
  
• Individuals who possess a Resident Freshwater Commercial Fishing License.
  
• Those fishing in the St. Mary's River or Lake Seminole (but not including tributary creeks in Florida) and have a valid Georgia fishing license.
  
• Those freshwater fishing during free freshwater fishing days
  
• Florida residents fishing with live or natural bait, using poles or lines that are not equipped with a fishing-line-retrieval mechanism, and fishing for noncommercial purposes in their home county (does not include fish management areas within the home county).