Recreational Saltwater Licenses & Permits

To encourage Floridians to go outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources, Governor DeSantis signed an executive order directing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide a discount on hunting and fishing licenses. Beginning October 25, 2024, and extending through January 3, 2025, FWC will provide a 50% discount for its annual resident Gold Sportsman license, 5-year Gold Sportsman license, and Youth Lifetime Sportsman’s licenses (for ages 0-17), and discounting the annual freshwater fishing / saltwater fishing combination license for residents to $5.

Promotional Prices:

Annual Gold Sportsman - $49.25, plus applicable fees
5-year Gold Sportsman - $246.25, plus applicable fees
Lifetime Sportsman:

Age 0-4 - $200.00, plus applicable fees
Age 5-12 - $350.00, plus applicable fees
Ages 13-17 - $500.00, plus applicable fees

Annual Freshwater Fishing / Saltwater Fishing Combination (All ages) - $5.00, plus applicable fees

Customers can purchase the discounted youth lifetime sportsman license online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, in person at a tax collector’s office, or through the Fish|Hunt FL App on Apple and Android devices. In addition, the 1-year and 5-year discounted licenses can be purchased at a license agent.

Saltwater Fishing Licenses

Saltwater Fishing License

Required to take or attempt to take saltwater fish, crabs, clams, marine plants or other saltwater organisms (other than non-living seashells and lionfish with certain gear).

A Florida fishing license is required to land saltwater species in Florida regardless of where they are caught (state or federal waters).

Resident Annual: $17.00
Resident Five-Year: $79.00
Non-Resident Annual: $47.00
Non-Resident 3-Day: $17.00
Non-Resident 7-Day: $30.00

Saltwater Shoreline-Only Fishing 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.

Resident Annual Saltwater Shoreline License: No-Cost

Fishing and Hunting Combination Licenses

Saltwater fishing license combined with freshwater fishing and/or hunting license(s) for a reduced-cost to Florida residents.

Annual Resident Saltwater Fishing|Freshwater Fishing Combination $32.50
Annual Resident Saltwater Fishing|Freshwater Fishing|Hunting Combination $48.00

Gold Sportsman's License

Includes Saltwater Fishing, Hunting and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits.

Annual Resident Gold Sportsman's License: $100.00
Five-Year Resident Gold Sportsman's License: $494.00

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 at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com through an online verification process. The license is also available at Florida tax collectors' offices with proof of residency and a current military identification card.<

Annual Resident Military Gold Sportsman's License: $20.00

Youth Licenses

Optional for youth ages 8 to 15 and valid until 17^th birthday.

Resident Youth Saltwater Fishing License: $17.00
Resident Youth Gold Sportsman's License (available with completion of hunter education requirements): $100.00

Saltwater Fishing Permits

State Reef Fish Angler Designation

Required for anglers 16 and older fishing for certain reef fish from a private vessel in Florida. For more information, please read about the State Reef Fish Survey. No exemptions.

Annual: $0.00

Shore-based Shark Fishing

As of July 1, 2019, 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. If fishing from a licensed fishing pier, please contact the Office of Licensing and Permitting for assistance in obtaining this permit.

Annual: $0.00. Available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com after completing the Shore-based Shark Fishing Educational Course.

Snook

Required, in addition to a saltwater fishing license, including shoreline fishing, when taking or attempting to take snook.

Note: Prior to purchasing a snook permit, check current regulations in the area you plan to fish. All sales are final. Refunds will not be given even if the species you plan to target is closed to harvest.

Annual: $10.00
Five-Year (Residents Only): $50.00

Spiny Lobster

Required, in addition to a saltwater fishing license, when taking or attempting to take lobster.

Annual: $5.00
Five-Year (Residents Only): $25.00

Tarpon Tags

Required, in addition to a saltwater fishing license, when landing tarpon. No exemptions. For information, please read about Tarpon.

Annual tag: $51.50. Available at tax collector's offices only.

Trap Registration - Blue Crab

Effective Jan. 1, 2020, 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. No permit exemptions, even if exempt from typical fishing license requirements.

Annual: $0.00. Available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com only.

Trap Registration - Stone Crab

Effective Oct. 15, 2019, this registration is required in addition to a saltwater fishing license for recreational harvesters age 16 or older to harvest or attempt to harvest stone crabs using stone crab traps. No permit exemptions, even if exempt from typical fishing license requirements.