A Florida fishing license is required to land saltwater species in Florida, regardless of where they are caught (state or federal waters). Valid for saltwater fishing from the shore or a structure fixed to the shore. It is not valid when fishing from a boat or a coast that is reached by boat. You can fish from a dock for recreational purposes, but you still need a valid saltwater fishing license on the dock.
Any resident fishing for recreational purposes only, within their county of residence with live or natural bait, using a fishing rod or simple fishing line that is not equipped with a retrieval mechanism, such as a Cuban yo-yo, more commonly known as a Cuban fishing platform. Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Anglers who dive into the water for saltwater fishing are considered to be fishing from shore as long as they can stay on the bottom and do not access or leave the area by boat. Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission sets aside eight (days) to encourage Floridians to go out and fish without a license.
Except for processing costs, all license fees go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help maintain the state's fish and wildlife resources. You can apply for a Florida fishing license online through the Florida Fish and Wildlife website Commission. You must obtain a Florida disability hunting and fishing license, which allows you to fish in fresh and saltwater, and harvest bass and lobsters. The good news for Florida visitors is that saltwater fishing trips cover licenses for everyone on board, so you can sit back and enjoy your time on the water.
Florida residents and visitors must have a hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license available when complying with state law. And be careful, even if you're helping someone else bait their hooks and setting up their gear, you also need a fishing license. Florida residents who fish only in saltwater from the land or from a structure attached to the land can obtain the recreational saltwater fishing license at no cost to residents. Florida › Fishing › Saltwater Fishing › Licenses & Permits.
Another exception is for residents who fish with live or natural bait, who use rods or lines that are not equipped with a “fishing line retrieval mechanism” (a reel), and who are fishing for non-commercial purposes in their home county. If you have a fishing rod in your possession near water, you must have a license, whether you catch fish or not.
