Frequently Asked Questions
Question: At what age do I need a fishing license in Florida?
Answer: A valid Florida fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to fish in Florida.
Question: Do I still need a valid fishing license in Florida if I am over 65 years old?
Answer: Any Florida resident that is 65 years of age or older are NOT required to possess a valid Florida fishing license as long as they can show proof of age and residency or by possessing an optional Resident 65+ Hunting/Fishing Certificate.
Question: What is a “Hard Card” fishing license for Florida?
Answer: A Hard Card is a credit-card style license that can be purchased in addition to purchasing your regular fishing license or permits. it costs about $5 and is shipped separately. It can hold up to 7 different licenses or permits.
Question: Are there any free fishing days in Florida where I don’t need a fishing license?
Answer: Yes. For freshwater, the FREE fishing days are generally the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April and the second consecutive weekend in June. For saltwater, the FREE fishing days are generally the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June, the first Saturday in September an the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
PRICES DISCLOSURE: We do our best to stay current, but prices can change without notice to us. The prices below may or may not be the exact current prices for the license(s) listed.
How much does a fishing license cost?
Fishing licenses in Florida can range from about $3.00 for a Private Pond fishing license to just over $1,000.00 for a Resident Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s license. Take a look below for all the resident and nonresident fishing licenses and prices.
Florida Resident Freshwater Fishing License Prices
Florida Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License:
$17.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident 5-Year Freshwater Fishing License:
$79.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Youth Freshwater Fishing License | Ages 8 – 15: Optional and valid until the 17th birthday.
$17.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Annual Combo Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing License:
$32.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Annual Combo Freshwater Fishing and Hunting License:
$32.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Annual Combo Freshwater, Saltwater Fishing & Hunting License:
$48.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Annual Sportsman’s License: Includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, and Florida Waterfowl permits. Does not include Saltwater Fishing License, Snook or Lobster permits.
$80.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Annual Silver Sportsman’s License | Ages 64 and Older: Includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, and Florida Waterfowl permits. Does not include Saltwater Fishing License, Snook or Lobster permits.
$13.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident 5-Year Silver Sportsman’s License | Ages 64 and Older: Includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, and Florida Waterfowl permits. Does not include Saltwater Fishing License, Snook or Lobster permits.
$61.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Annual Gold Sportsman’s License: Includes Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits.
$100.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Youth Gold Sportsman’s License | Ages 8 – 15: Optional and valid until the 17th birthday. Available with completion of hunter education requirements.
$100.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident 5-Year Gold Sportsman’s License: Includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, and Florida Waterfowl permits. Does not include Saltwater Fishing License, Snook or Lobster permits.
$494.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Military Gold Sportsman’s License: Includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits). Available to Florida residents who are active duty or retired military members through an online verification process. The license is also available at the Florida tax Collector’s office with proof of residency and a current military identification card.
$20.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Private Pond Fishing License: If you own a fish pond of more than 20 acres which is located entirely within your property, you may obtain a Private Fish Pond License from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to exempt persons fishing in your pond from the recreational freshwater fishing license requirement.
$3.00 per surface acre
Florida Resident Saltwater Fishing License Prices
Florida Resident Annual Saltwater Fishing License:
$17.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident 5-Year Saltwater Fishing License:
$79.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Youth Saltwater Fishing License | Ages 8 – 15: Optional and valid until the 17th birthday.
$17.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Youth Gold Sportsman’s License | Ages 8 – 15: Optional and valid until the 17th birthday. Available with completion of hunter education requirements.
$100.00 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Saltwater Shoreline License: Valid for saltwater fishing from the shoreline or a structure affixed to shore. Not valid when fishing from a vessel, or a shoreline reached by vessel. Not valid if taking or attempting to take by swimming or diving.
FREE GET NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Fishing License Prices
NOTE: Visit the Lifetime Licenses page on the Florida FWCC website to see how to purchase licenses below.
NOTE: For the Florida Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s Licenses below: Includes Hunting, Freshwater Fishing and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Deer, Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits. Hard Card included with purchase.
Florida Resident Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s License | Ages 4 and Under:
$401.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s License | Ages 5 – 12:
$701.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s License | Ages 13 and Older:
$1,001.50 BUY NOW
NOTE: For the Lifetime Saltwater Licenses below: Includes a Saltwater Fishing license and Snook and Lobster permits. Hard Card included with purchase.
Florida Resident Lifetime Saltwater Fishing License | Ages 4 and Under:
$126.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Saltwater Fishing License | Ages 5 – 12:
$226.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Saltwater Fishing License | Ages 13 and Older:
$301.50 BUY NOW
NOTE: For the Lifetime Freshwater Licenses below: Includes Freshwater Fishing License and a Hard Card.
Florida Resident Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License | Ages 4 and Under:
$126.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License | Ages 5 – 12:
$226.50 BUY NOW
Florida Resident Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License | Ages 13 and Older:
$301.50 BUY NOW
How much does a nonresident fishing license cost?
Florida Nonresident Freshwater Fishing License Prices
Florida Nonresident Annual Freshwater Fishing License:
$47.00 BUY NOW
Florida Nonresident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing License:
$17.00 BUY NOW
Florida Nonresident 7-Day Freshwater Fishing License:
$30.00 BUY NOW
Florida Nonresident Saltwater Fishing License Prices
Florida Nonresident Annual Saltwater Fishing License:
$47.00 BUY NOW
Florida Nonresident 3-Day Saltwater Fishing License:
$17.00 BUY NOW
Florida Nonresident 7-Day Saltwater Fishing License:
$30.00 BUY NOW
Florida Saltwater Fishing Permit Prices
Florida Annual Gulf Reef Fish Designation:
FREE GET NOW
Florida Annual Shore-based Shark Fishing: Required for anglers 16 and older in addition to a saltwater fishing license when taking or attempting to take sharks from shore, including jetties, bridges and piers. No permit exemptions, even if exempt from fishing license requirements. Anglers must complete the Shore-based Shark Fishing Educational Course before permit will be issued.
FREE GET NOW
Florida Annual Snook Fishing Permit: Required and is in addition to a saltwater fishing license, including shoreline fishing.
$10.00 BUY NOW
Florida 5-Year Snook Fishing Permit – RESIDENTS ONLY: Required and is in addition to a saltwater fishing license, including shoreline fishing.
$50.00 BUY NOW
Florida Annual Spiny Lobster Permit: Required and is in addition to a saltwater fishing license.
$5.00 BUY NOW
Florida 5-Year (Resident Only) Spiny Lobster Permit: Required and is in addition to a saltwater fishing license.
$25.00 BUY NOW
Florida Annual Tarpon Tag: Required and is in addition to a saltwater fishing license. Only available at the Tax Collector’s office
$51.50 BUY NOW
Florida Trap Registration – Stone Crab: This registration is required in addition to a saltwater fishing license for recreational harvesters age 16 or older to harvest or attempt to harvest blue crabs using blue crab traps. Available ONLINE only.
FREE GET NOW
View the Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations.
View the Florida Saltwater Fishing Regulations.
Where can I buy a fishing license?
Here are some of the best places to fish in Florida.
All information listed above can also be seen on the fishing license page of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.