TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Have you ever wanted to try fishing? Soon you'll have a chance to try for free.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission designates several days each year for license-free fishing. On those days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including both Florida residents and non-residents.
The following dates will be license-free fishing days:
Saltwater
- June 1 and 2, 2019. (First Saturday and Sunday in June.)
- Sept. 7, 2019. (First Saturday in September.)
- Nov. 30, 2019. (Saturday following Thanksgiving.)
Freshwater
- April 6 and 7, 2019. (First Saturday and Sunday in April.)
- June 8 and 9, 2019. (Second Saturday and Sunday in June.)
Annual saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses normally cost $17 for residents and $47 for non-residents. Residents can also get a saltwater shoreline fishing license for free, though you should make sure to keep the license on you while fishing.
There are some exemptions to fishing-license requirements:
- Youth under 16 years of age (also exempt from federal duck stamp requirements).
- Resident seniors age 65 or older with proof of age or residency (such as a valid Florida Driver's License or ID Card) or possessing an optional Resident 65+ Hunt/Fish Certificate (available at no-cost online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or at county tax collectors' offices)
- Those freshwater fishing or hunting in your county of residence on your homestead (or the homestead of your spouse or minor child), or if you are a minor child freshwater fishing or hunting on the homestead of your parent.
You can read about additional exemptions here.
You can obtain a license online at the Florida Fish and Wildlife website or you can call 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA and get one instantly over the phone.
