With some exceptions, you must have a license to fish in Florida. There are two types of fishing licenses: freshwater and saltwater . Each one has certain restrictions to the kind of fish you can take. Combination licenses and different commercial freshwater fishing licenses are also available.
Licenses and permits are issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). They can be bought at the FWC website , the Tax Collector's office, places such as sporting goods stores, hunting and fishing equipment retailers, or by calling 1-888-486-8356.
Fishing licenses are regulated by the State of Florida, with fees for licenses and permits set by the Florida Legislature.
Do I need a freshwater or saltwater fishing license or both?
In general, you need a freshwater license to take freshwater fish and a saltwater license to take saltwater fish unless one of the exemptions applies to your situation. You need a freshwater license if you are fishing in pure fresh water where no saltwater species live. Likewise, you need a saltwater license if you are fishing in the ocean.
However, the issue becomes less clear when you get into estuarine-type areas where salt and fresh water commingle and both types of fish can be found. The interpretation of the rule is:
-You either need a freshwater, saltwater or combination license (or appropriate exemption) to take fish (take is legally defined as taking, attempting to take, pursuing, molesting, capturing or killing any fish, or their nests or eggs by any means, whether such actions result in obtaining possession of such fish or their nests or eggs)
-If you are using species-specific gear, your license should be appropriate (freshwater or saltwater) to the species you are targeting, and
-Otherwise, you need an appropriate license to keep your catch and immediately release any species you are not licensed for. License requirements follow the fish species, regardless of where they are caught. In other words, if you only have a freshwater license and are primarily fishing for largemouth bass or bream (freshwater species) in a river but happen to catch a red drum (a saltwater species), you must immediately release the red drum
Annual recreational hunting and fishing licenses expire one year from the date issued. The expiration date is printed on all the licenses.
To view your current Florida recreational hunting and fishing licenses:
-Go to the FWC Recreational Licensing Issuance Services (RLIS) online license sales website
-Enter your identification information and click "Continue"
-Your current licenses will be listed. Click "Show License History" to see your expired licenses
A fishing or hunting license is required to be with you when you are engaged in the licensed activity. If your license is not listed there, it is expired. At this point, you may continue and purchase a replacement or new license or close out to end the session.
Also known as the Spiny Lobster, this is a short, two-day recreational harvest event. In 2025, it will take place on July 30th and 31st (the last Wednesday and Thursday of July). This event allows divers and snorkelers to catch lobsters before the regular season opens in August.
A recreational license is required and can be processed at any of the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Offices. You may request an appointment or simply walk in.
Regulations for this mini season are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
More info: https://fla-keys.com/news/article/10950
⚠️ Important: Violating these rules can result in serious penalties, including criminal charges, fines, and even jail time.
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