NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

June 23, 1999

CONTACT: Susan Weaver (850) 488-3641

FLORIDA DROPS 3-DAY FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSE

Florida's 3-day nonresident freshwater fishing license won't be available after this month. Instead, short-term anglers will need to buy a 7-day license.

Susan Weaver, head of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Licensing and Permitting Section, said the $6.50, 3-day license seemed like a good idea at first. However, she said the 3-day license has been so popular with anglers who formerly bought 7-day licenses for $16.50, it costs the state approximately $500,000 a year in license sales revenue.

"We had hoped individual out-of-state anglers would buy several of the 3-day licenses during the year, and that would increase revenue," she said. "It didn't work out that way."

The state's new fiscal year begins July 1, and the 3-day license will not be available beginning on that date.

The Florida Legislature will review all hunting and fishing license fees and exemptions for possible action next session. During its review, the legislature may consider a replacement for the 3-day license at a price less damaging to state revenues.