Saltwater Fishing License Information

Saltwater 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):

• Any child under 16 years of age.
  
• Anyone fishing from a for-hire vessel – guide, charter, or party boat – that has a valid vessel license.
  
• A holder of a valid saltwater products license.
  
• Florida residents 65 years of age or older, who possess either a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate or proof of age and residency.
  
• 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. This does not include family members.
  
• Anyone who has been accepted as a client for developmental services by the Department of Children and Family Services, provided the Department furnishes proof thereof.
  
• Anyone fishing for recreational purposes from a pier that has a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
  
• Anyone fishing from a boat that has a valid recreational vessel fishing license.
  
• Florida residents fishing for mullet in freshwater with a valid Florida freshwater fishing license.
  
• Florida residents fishing for saltwater fish in freshwater from land or a structure fixed to land.
  
• Florida residents certified as totally and permanently disabled, who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate.
  

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

• Florida residents accepted as a client for developmental disabilities services by the Agency of Persons with Disabilities. The agency must furnish proof to such clients.
  
• Individuals saltwater fishing from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid charter license.
  
• Those saltwater fishing from a vessel whose operator has a valid recreational saltwater vessel license issued in the name of the operator of the vessel.
  
• Those saltwater fishing during a free saltwater fishing day.
  
• Individuals saltwater fishing from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license.
  
• Individuals who hold a valid saltwater products license or FWC charter captain license (does not apply to charter boat license or U.S. Coast Guard license or to the crew operating under any charter license or Vessel or Individual Crew SPL).
  
• Florida residents saltwater fishing from land or a structure fixed to land who have been determined eligible for the food stamp, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid Program by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Proof of identification and a benefit issuance or program identification card issued by DCF or the Agency for Health Care Administration must be in possession when fishing. A license is required when fishing from a vessel or when swimming or diving, and this exemption does not apply to freshwater fishing.
  
• Florida residents saltwater fishing with live or natural bait, using poles or lines that are not equipped with a fishing-line-retrieval mechanism,for noncommercial purposes in their home county (does not include fish management areas within the home county).