Florida Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
How much is a fishing license in Florida (FL)?
A resident annual Florida fishing license costs $17.00, and a non-resident (out-of-state) annual license is $47.00. Florida also offers short-term day passes for out-of-state visitors and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
How does Florida compare? See the 2026 fishing license cost by state price index.
🎫 Buy a Florida Fishing License →Fishing in Florida
Florida earns its "Fishing Capital" reputation with two coasts, the Keys and the Everglades. Freshwater means trophy largemouth on Okeechobee, Toho and Rodman; saltwater means redfish, snook, tarpon and seatrout on the flats, plus grouper, snapper, sailfish and mahi offshore. Because you can chase both in a single day, many anglers carry a combination license. There's no closed season on the fun — Florida fishes hard all twelve months.
Florida Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$17.00
Saltwater
$17.00
Combo
$32.50
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$47.00
Saltwater
$47.00
No non-resident combo; buy freshwater and saltwater separately
Non-Resident 3-Day
Freshwater
$17.00
Saltwater
$17.00
Non-Resident 7-Day
Freshwater
$30.00
Saltwater
$30.00
Senior (65+)
FreeFL resident 65+ fish free with proof of age and FL ID
Youth (under 16)
FreeResidents 65+ with proof of FL residency and age fish free. Gold Sportsman's License available for $100.00 covering most hunting/fishing. Prices include the statutory issuance fee.
✅ Prices verified October 2026 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Florida fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Florida. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 16 do not need a license. Anglers under 16 (residents and non-residents) need no fishing license.
- Seniors (65+)
- Florida residents 65 and older fish free — a full exemption, not a discount — on proof of age and residency (an optional no-cost Resident 65+ Hunting/Fishing Certificate is available). A separate paid $13.50 "Silver Sportsman's" 64+ combo (hunting + freshwater fishing) also exists, but the 65+ freshwater/saltwater fishing exemption itself is free.
- Anglers with disabilities
- Florida residents certified as totally and permanently disabled may obtain a free Florida Resident Disabled Person's Hunting and Fishing License.
- Veterans & military
- Disabled veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel (plus immediate family and assistants) may fish license-free at permitted recreational events under a Military/Disabled Veteran Event License Exemption Permit issued to the event organizer. Florida armed-forces members stationed outside the state and home on leave of 30 days or less need only carry their orders.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- Florida's licence-free fishing days recur on a fixed formula FWC publishes without years: freshwater on the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April and the second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June; saltwater on the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June, the first Saturday in September, and the Saturday following Thanksgiving. For 2026 that is freshwater April 4–5 and June 13–14, and saltwater June 6–7, September 5 and November 28 (the only 2026 date still ahead). No licence is required on those days, for residents or non-residents; all other rules still apply, including seasons and bag and size limits. On saltwater days the waiver also covers crabbing, lobstering and scalloping, and snook and spiny lobster permits are not required.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified October 2026.
Saltwater & beach fishing in Florida
Saltwater included in saltwater or combo license
Where to buy a Florida fishing license
Online (cheapest): buy directly from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — that’s the cheapest option, with no third-party markup.
In person: most sporting goods retailers (Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Walmart) and many tackle shops in Florida also sell licenses.
Florida Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Florida species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth BassOnly 1 bass over 16 inches may be kept per day on most waters | 5 | 14" | Year-round |
| Bluegill / SunfishNo size limit | 50 | No limit | Year-round |
| Channel CatfishNo size limit for channel catfish | 20 | No limit | Year-round |
| Crappie (Speckled Perch)No size limit. Check local waters for aggregate limits | 25 | No limit | Year-round |
| Redfish (Red Drum)Slot 18–27 inches. 1 per person per day | 1 | 18" | Year-round |
| Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout)Slot 15–19 inches; 1 fish over 19 inches per vessel (or per person from shore). Under FWC regional management since Apr 2026 — Big Bend allows 5; confirm your region | 3 | 15" | Year-round (some regions close a month) |
| SnookSlot 28–32 in (Atlantic) / 28–33 in (Gulf). Snook permit required. Confirm current closed dates for your coast | 1 | 28" | Seasonal closures (differ Gulf vs Atlantic) |
| FlounderSouthern flounder minimum 14 inches; fall spawning closure | 5 | 14" | Closed Oct 15–Nov 30 |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Florida Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Florida?
A resident annual fishing license in Florida costs $17.00, and a non-resident (out-of-state) annual license costs $47.00. Florida also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
How much is an out-of-state fishing license in Florida?
An out-of-state (non-resident) annual fishing license in Florida costs $47.00. For a shorter trip, Florida also sells 3-Day, 7-Day licenses. Buy online from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you fish.
Do you need a fishing license in Florida?
Yes. Florida requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 16 are exempt. Florida residents 65 and older fish free — a full exemption, not a discount — on proof of age and residency (an optional no-cost Resident 65+ Hunting/Fishing Certificate is available). A separate paid $13.50 "Silver Sportsman's" 64+ combo (hunting + freshwater fishing) also exists, but the 65+ freshwater/saltwater fishing exemption itself is free. Always confirm current rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you fish.
Where do you buy a Florida fishing license?
Buy directly from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Florida.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
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