Most non-residents age 16 or older need a Florida fishing license, including for catch-and-release fishing. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are separate. For either license type, the current base fees are $17.00 for 3 consecutive days, $30.00 for 7 consecutive days, or $47.00 for 12 months. Licensed saltwater charters and licensed saltwater piers can cover customers, and Florida also has designated license-free fishing days.
Last updated: September 22, 2026. Fees and license availability checked against current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Go Outdoors Florida pages.
Quick Answer
Non-residents age 16 and older generally need a Florida fishing license. A 3-day license is $17.00, a 7-day license is $30.00, and an annual license is $47.00 for either freshwater or saltwater. Those are base license fees; add-on permits and purchase-channel fees can raise the final total. Choose the license by water type, trip length, and any species-specific permit you need.
Do non-residents need a fishing license in Florida? Yes. Visitors age 16 and older generally need a Florida freshwater or saltwater fishing license even if they plan to catch and release. Current non-resident base fees are $17.00 for 3 days, $30.00 for 7 days, and $47.00 for 12 months. Freshwater and saltwater privileges are sold separately.
Key Takeaways
- Cost: Non-resident freshwater or saltwater licenses cost $17.00 for 3 consecutive days, $30.00 for 7 consecutive days, or $47.00 for 12 months.
- Freshwater and saltwater are separate: If you plan to fish both inland freshwater and coastal saltwater, you generally need both license types.
- Catch and release still counts: FWC requires a license to attempt to take fish, so simply releasing your catch does not remove the license requirement.
- Key exemptions: Children under 16, customers on properly licensed saltwater charter vessels, anglers on properly licensed saltwater piers, and anglers fishing on designated license-free days may be exempt.
- Purchase: Use Go Outdoors Florida, the Fish|Hunt FL app, FWC’s phone ordering line, or an authorized license agent/tax collector. Because short-term purchase channels have changed before, check the live catalog before your trip.
Overview of Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
Florida separates recreational fishing privileges by water type. A non-resident freshwater fishing license covers freshwater fishing for native or nonnative freshwater fish. A non-resident saltwater fishing license covers taking or attempting to take saltwater fish and other regulated marine organisms. If your trip includes both categories, you generally need both licenses unless a specific exemption applies.
Current FWC fees are the same for each license type: $17.00 for 3 consecutive days, $30.00 for 7 consecutive days, and $47.00 for an annual license. FWC’s current Go Outdoors Florida catalog lists the same non-resident prices for freshwater and saltwater licenses. Annual licenses are valid for 12 months from the specified effective date.
Families should note that children under 16 are exempt from Florida recreational fishing license requirements. Non-resident seniors do not receive Florida’s resident 65+ exemption, so visitors age 65 and older generally still need a license unless another exemption applies.
Florida also requires a license when you are catching and releasing, because FWC treats casting a line as attempting to take fish. An out-of-state fishing license does not replace the required Florida license.
Note: License rules can depend on where you fish, how you fish, and the species you target. Check the current FWC visitor license guidance and species regulations before your trip.
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Florida Non-Resident Fishing License Cost & Duration
The base fee depends on how long you want the license to remain valid. Freshwater and saltwater licenses use the same non-resident fee schedule, but each license covers a different category of fishing.
Annual vs. Short-Term Pricing
The prices below apply to freshwater and saltwater licenses separately.
| License Duration | Base Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Consecutive Days | $17.00 | Weekend trips |
| 7 Consecutive Days | $30.00 | Week-long vacations |
| 12 Months (Annual) | $47.00 | Frequent or repeat visitors |
At a Glance
| Time Required | Usually a few minutes online or by phone; in-person agent visits can take longer |
| Difficulty | Easy once you know your water type, trip length, and any permit add-ons |
| What to Have Ready | Legal name, date of birth, contact details, payment method, trip dates, and fishing type |
| Base Cost | $17.00 to $47.00 per license type, plus any required permits and applicable handling or vendor fees |
Important: If you plan to fish both freshwater and saltwater, the basic non-resident licenses are separate. Two annual base licenses would total $94.00 before species permits, registrations, hard-card upgrades, or purchase-channel fees. FWC also offers activity packages in Go Outdoors Florida, so the total shown at checkout may be higher than the base license price.
Which License Should You Choose?
- Choose the 3-day license for a short weekend fishing window.
- Choose the 7-day license if you want most of a vacation week covered.
- Choose the annual license if you will return to Florida or fish across a longer season.
- Buy both freshwater and saltwater licenses if your trip includes both categories and no exemption applies.
- Check for a charter or pier exemption first if your only saltwater fishing will be from a properly licensed for-hire vessel or licensed fishing pier.
Recreational Permits & Endorsements
A base saltwater license does not cover every regulated activity. Depending on the species and method, you may need a paid permit, a no-cost designation, or a trap registration in addition to your fishing license.
- Snook Permit: $10.00 annually. Required in addition to a saltwater license when taking or attempting to take snook. FWC states that a snook permit is not required for catch-and-release-only snook fishing.
- Spiny Lobster Permit: $5.00 annually. Required in addition to a saltwater license when taking or attempting to take spiny lobster.
- Tarpon Tag: $51.50 and available only at tax collector offices. Florida treats tarpon as catch-and-release-only except for one fish taken in pursuit of a state or world record with a tag purchased before fishing begins.
- State Reef Fish Angler designation: $0.00 annually. Required for anglers age 16 and older fishing for certain reef fish from a private vessel.
- Shore-based Shark Fishing Permit: $0.00 annually after completing the required educational course. It is required for anglers age 16 and older taking or attempting to take sharks from shore, including jetties, bridges, and piers.
- Blue Crab or Stone Crab Trap Registration: $0.00 annually when the applicable recreational trap rules apply.
Warning: A fishing license does not automatically allow you to keep every fish you catch. Size limits, bag limits, seasons, closed areas, gear rules, and species-specific permits or registrations may still apply.
If you lose your license, FWC says you can reprint a recreational license online at no cost or have it reprinted at a license agent or tax collector office for $2.50. The Fish|Hunt FL app can also store licenses electronically, and an electronic license in the app counts as possession of the license.
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How to Purchase a Non-Resident Fishing License
Before buying, decide whether you need freshwater, saltwater, or both, then choose the 3-day, 7-day, or annual option. The current Go Outdoors Florida guest catalog lists all three durations for non-resident freshwater and saltwater fishing.
- Online: Use Go Outdoors Florida, FWC’s authorized online licensing portal.
- Mobile app: Use the FWC Fish|Hunt FL app to purchase, renew, and store licenses and permits.
- Phone: Call 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).
- In person: Visit an authorized license agent or county tax collector office.
FWC currently lists extra handling charges for some online and phone transactions, and license agents may charge an additional issuance fee. Review the final checkout amount before paying, especially if your saltwater trip requires extra permits or registrations.
Purchase-channel update: FWC announced an in-person-only restriction for non-resident 3-day and 7-day recreational licenses effective November 7, 2025. The current Go Outdoors Florida guest catalog again lists those short-term licenses, and current vacation-package pages show online login/purchase access for short-term options. Because channel availability has changed, verify the live catalog before relying on a specific buying method.
Keep proof of your license with you while fishing. A license stored in the Fish|Hunt FL app counts as possession. If you use another digital confirmation method, keep your license or authorization details accessible in case an officer asks to verify them.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure whether your fishing spot is freshwater or saltwater, check before buying. Some canals, inlets, and brackish areas can confuse visitors, and the license you need may depend on the water, species, and activity.
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Information to Have Ready
- Your legal name and date of birth
- A mailing address and contact information
- A payment method
- Your trip dates if buying a 3-day or 7-day license
- The type of fishing you plan to do: freshwater, saltwater, or both
- Any species or method that may require an extra permit or registration
Florida Fishing License Exemptions for Non-Residents
Most non-resident anglers age 16 or older need a Florida license, but several exemptions matter to visitors. Confirm that the exemption applies to your exact activity before fishing.
- Children under 16: They do not need a Florida recreational fishing license.
- Licensed saltwater charter or party boat: Customers fishing from a for-hire vessel with a valid charter license do not need their own saltwater license for that trip.
- Licensed recreational saltwater vessel: Anglers can be covered when fishing from a vessel whose operator holds the applicable recreational saltwater vessel license.
- Licensed saltwater pier: Anglers fishing from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license are covered by that pier license.
- License-free fishing days: The license requirement is waived for residents and non-residents on designated days, although seasons, bag limits, size limits, and other rules still apply.
FWC’s recurring license-free freshwater days are the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April and the second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June. Saltwater license-free days are the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June, the first Saturday in September, and the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Non-resident seniors are treated differently from Florida resident seniors. Visitors age 65 and older generally still need to buy a license unless another exemption applies.
Tip: Florida’s no-cost saltwater shoreline fishing license is for Florida residents only. A non-resident fishing from the beach or another shoreline location generally needs a regular non-resident saltwater license unless a separate exemption applies.
Rules That Still Apply After You Buy a License
A license gives you permission to fish, but it does not replace Florida’s recreational fishing regulations. Before keeping fish or using regulated gear, check the current rules for:
- Open and closed seasons
- Daily bag limits
- Minimum, maximum, and slot size limits
- Gear restrictions
- Protected species and no-harvest rules
- Species-specific permits, tags, or registrations
- Local rules for piers, beaches, parks, and wildlife areas
Where to Fish as a Non-Resident
With the right license, non-residents can fish Florida beaches, lakes, canals, rivers, bridges, inlets, bays, and other public waters where fishing is allowed. The key is matching the license to the water and activity rather than assuming every shoreline, pier, or canal follows the same rule.
- Sebastian Inlet State Park: A saltwater-focused destination where anglers may encounter snook, redfish, bluefish, and tarpon depending on season and conditions.
- Fort Pierce Inlet Jetty Park: A coastal fishing option with inlet structure and nearby bait-and-tackle access.
- Jensen Beach Causeway: A shoreline and bridge-area option where anglers may target saltwater and brackish-water species.
Note: These examples are saltwater-heavy. If you buy only a freshwater license, choose waters where freshwater licensing rules apply. Also check whether a specific pier holds a saltwater pier license before assuming your individual license is unnecessary.
Common Fishing Situations and the License You May Need
| Situation | Likely License Need |
|---|---|
| Fishing from a beach, seawall, bridge, inlet, bay, or unlicensed coastal pier | Non-resident saltwater license, unless another exemption applies |
| Fishing from a saltwater pier with a valid FWC pier license | Individual saltwater license generally not required |
| Fishing a freshwater lake, river, pond, or inland canal | Freshwater license, unless an exemption applies |
| Fishing both inland freshwater and coastal saltwater during one trip | Both freshwater and saltwater licenses, unless exemptions cover the activities |
| Saltwater fishing on a properly licensed charter or party boat | Individual saltwater license generally not required for customers |
| Catch-and-release fishing outside an exemption | The applicable freshwater or saltwater license is still required |
Before You Fish: 60-Second Checklist
- Confirm whether your spot is freshwater or saltwater.
- Check whether your charter vessel or saltwater pier license covers you.
- Choose the correct 3-day, 7-day, or annual license.
- Add any required species permit, tag, designation, or trap registration.
- Check current season, bag, size, and gear rules for your target species.
- Keep your license or valid electronic proof accessible while fishing.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Florida non-resident fishing license?
For either freshwater or saltwater, the current non-resident base fee is $17.00 for 3 consecutive days, $30.00 for 7 consecutive days, or $47.00 for 12 months. Add-on permits and transaction fees can increase the final cost.
Does a 65-year-old non-resident need a fishing license?
Yes, unless another exemption applies. Florida’s age-65 fishing license exemption is for qualifying Florida residents, not non-resident visitors.
Can a non-resident fish from the shore without a license in Florida?
Generally, no. Florida’s no-cost shoreline-only saltwater license is for residents. Non-residents usually need a regular saltwater license when fishing from shore unless a different exemption applies, such as a qualifying licensed pier or a license-free fishing day.
Do I need a license if I am on a charter boat?
For saltwater fishing, customers on a for-hire vessel with a valid FWC charter license generally do not need an individual saltwater fishing license. Confirm coverage with the captain before the trip.
Do I need separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater fishing?
Yes. Non-resident freshwater and saltwater licenses are separate. If you plan to do both during the same trip, you generally need both license types unless exemptions cover one or both activities.
Do I need a Florida fishing license for catch and release?
Yes, unless an exemption applies. FWC says a fishing license is required to attempt to take fish, so catch-and-release fishing still requires the applicable freshwater or saltwater license.
Can I show my Florida fishing license on my phone?
Yes. FWC says licenses stored in the Fish|Hunt FL app count as possession of the license. You can also reprint a recreational license online at no cost if you lose the paper copy.
Sources
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — Visitors’ Licenses — visitor requirements, catch-and-release licensing, and exemptions.
- FWC Freshwater Recreational Licenses & Permits — current non-resident freshwater fees.
- FWC Saltwater Recreational Licenses & Permits — current non-resident saltwater fees, permits, registrations, and shoreline-license rules.
- FWC How to Order — official online, phone, app, and in-person purchase channels and handling-fee information.
- FWC License-Free Fishing Days — recurring freshwater and saltwater license-free days.
- FWC Replace a Lost or Stolen License — reprint options and digital-license guidance.
- FWC Tarpon Regulations — catch-and-release rules and record-related tarpon tag use.
