Hunting & Fishing

General Information about Hunting & Fishing

Hunting and Freshwater Fishing Licenses

Hunting and freshwater fishing licenses are annual permits in effect one year from date of issuance. Licenses can be obtained through the Office of the Tax Collector or from a sub-agent. All Florida fishermen must possess a valid fishing license when freshwater fishing.
Exemptions

The "Cane Pole Law" allows a resident to fish in the county of his/her residence with live or natural bait, using poles or hand lines that are not equipped with a reel, for non-commercial purposes: however a valid Fishing License Stamp is required to fish by any method in a Fish management area. No license stamp is required to fish in a private fishing pond.

In order to receive a no cost Resident Disabled Person's Hunting and Fishing Certificate, applicants must attch a copy of one of the following which certifies the applicant as Totally and Permently Disabled:

  • Certification by the United State Veteran's Administration
  • Certification by any branch of the United States Armed Forces
  • State of Florida-Department of Veteran's and Community Affairs-100% Service Connected Disabled Veteran Identification Card (must have the statement total and the permanent disabled)
    • OR
  • A Social Security Administration Notice of Award (for SSI or SSDI Benefits) or a Form TPQY
    • Upon approval by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, an exemption card will be issued and renewable every 5 years by the commission and mailed to the applicant.

    Any resident who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who is not stationed in this State, when fishing while home on leave, for 30 days or less upon submission of orders. (The law refers to the person on leave, not the family, and he/she may fish only.)

    Florida Resident Sportsman’s License

    A license being offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the Florida Resident Sportsman’s License, costing $67.50 or $68.00 if purchased from sub-agent. This license satisfies all state requirements for recreational hunting and freshwater fishing for Florida residents. Included in this license is, Resident hunting, Resident Freshwater fishing, Archery, Muzzleloading, State Waterfowl, Turkey, Management Stamp.

    Hunter Education Requirement

    A person born on or after June 1, 1975 may not be issued a hunting license in Florida without first having successfully completed a hunter saftey course. Hunters affected by this requirement must present proof of satisfactory completion of Florida’s hunter education course or an approved course provided by another state or province when purchasing a license.
    Saltwater Fishing License

    Saltwater fishing licenses are good for 12 months from date of issuance. Licenses can be obtained through the office of the Tax Collector or from a sub-agent. All Florida fishermen must possess a valid fishing license when saltwater fishing, with the following exceptions:

    Florida residents 65 years of age and over and children under 16. RESIDENTS who are 65 or over need only to provide proof of age and residency to any Florida Fish and Widlife Officer and Florida Marine Patrol Officer. No license is required.

    A SALTWATER LICENSE IS REQUIRED FOR:

  • Anyone fishing from a pleasure craft.
  • Anyone fishing from a sandbar or other land mass that is accessible by boat, or by swimming through water deeper than (3) feet.
  • Anyone diving who takes, attempts to take, or possess any marine fish.
  • All non-residents fishing in saltwater (excluding those non-residents fishing from a licensed pier).
  • Anyone who operated any vessel wherein a fee is paid either directly or indirectly for the purpose of taking, attempting to take, or possessing any marine fish for non-commercial purposes. A separate license is required for each vessel or as an individual.
    • In addition, a stamp for crawfish and snook fishing is required.

    "RESIDENT": A resident must have lived in Florida for six continuous months prior to the issuance of a license and has an intent to continue to reside in Florida and claim Florida as his/her primary residence or any member of the United States Armed Forces who is stationed in this state (includes spouse and dependent children residing in household). "PROOF" may be any of the following:

  • Florida Drivers License ("Florida Only" or Florida ID card not acceptable)
  • Military orders showing that applicant is stationed in Florida
  • Statement from Landlord
  • Florida Homestead Exemption
    • OR

    Both of the following:

  • Florida Voter's Registration Card
  • Florida Motor Vehicle Registration


    • Alligator Harvest Permits

    In addition to the new special-opportunity alligator hunts on specific wildlife management areas, the commission has a program for all trappers to harvest 5 alligators each in water bodies during September. To apply for an alligator harvest permit to participate in this controlled harvest, the following guidelines apply:

    All applicants must be at least 18 years of age by June 1 of the application year.

    Only current year applications will be accepted. Applications are available beginning May 1 from any of the commission’s regional offices.

    Applications will be mailed the last week in April directly to those applicants who submitted an alligator harvest application last year. Last year’s applicants should refrain from calling regional offices to request alligator harvest applications unless their address has changed.

    To be included in the random drawing to receive alligator harvest permits, an application must be received at the Gainesville office of the Commission by 5pm on June 1 via a postal delivery service.

    More than 500 applicants will be randomly selected to participate. Alligator harvest areas and harvest periods (Sept 1-15 or Sept. 16-30) will be assigned to each randomly selected applicant based on his/her ranking of up to five areas on the harvest application. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by June 30.

    Selected applicants will be required to purchase an alligator-trapping license by July 15. A license cost $250 for Florida residents and $1,000 for non-residents. Each selected applicant also may purchase $50 alligator trapping agent licenses for individuals to assist them in taking alligators. Trapping agents must be in the presence of the permitted applicant when hunting.

    Five three-hour training and orientation programs are scheduled to be held in July and August. Permit recipients will not be required to attend, but are encouraged to attend if they have not attended in the past.
    License Stamp Fees

    In addition to the cost of a license a stamp given in this section, an issuance fee of $.50 for each privilege may be charged by a sub-agent selling the license or stamp.

    Resident Hunting Licenses:

  • Annual Hunting $12.50
  • Annual Hunting/Fishing Combination $23.50
    • Nonresident Hunting License:
  • Annual Hunting $151.50
  • Nonresident 10 Day Hunting $26.50
    • Stamps (Resident and Nonresident):
  • Wildlife Management Area Stamp $26.50
  • Archery Stamp $5.00
  • Muzzleloading Gun Stamp $5.00
  • Turkey Stamp $5.00
  • Florida Waterfowl $3.00
  • Trapping Stamp $26.50

    • Freshwater Fishing License Fees:

    Resident 12 Month Fishing

  • Valid for 12 months from date of purchase $13.50

    • Resident Fishing/Hunting Combination

  • Valid for 12 months from date of purchase $23.50

    • Nonresident 7 Day continuous

  • Valid from date designated as first day of fishing $16.50

    • Nonresident 12 Month

  • Valid for 12 months from date of purchase $31.50

    • Saltwater Fishing Licenses:

    Resident 12 Month Fishing

  • Valid for 12 months from date of purchase $13.50

    • Nonresident Licenses

  • 3 Day continuous $6.50
  • 7 Day continuous $16.50

    • Nonresident 12 Month

  • Valid for 12 months from date of purchase $31.50

    • Additional Privilege Stamps:

  • Snook Stamp $2.00
  • Crawfish Stamp $2.00

    • Other Saltwater Fishing Fees

    Vessel licenses are required for all vessels that charge a fee to take passengers out to catch marine fish.
  • Eleven or more customers -.. $801.50
  • Five to Ten customers -.. $401.50
  • Four or fewer customers -.. $201.50
    • In order to obtain a vessel license you must bring into the Tax Collectors Office your United States Coast Guard License, Occupational License for Boat Charter, Vessel Registration showing vessel registered commercial and your Drivers License.

    For recreational charter licensing information, call 1-850-488-3641.

    *NOTE: if you are exempt from licenses, you are exempt from stamps.
    Lifetime and 5 Year Licenses

    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issues Lifetime Licenses to Florida residents for hunting, freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Funds generated from the sale of these licenses will be invested, creating an endowment to support the long-term conservation of Florida’s wildlife and fisheries resources.

    For avid sportsmen who want the convenience of securing licensing, once and for all, for all your hunting, freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing activities, the Lifetime Sportsman License is for you. Lifetime licenses remain valid for use in Florida even if you move out of state. For hunters and anglers who like a bargain, the cost of a Lifetime License is less than what would be spent on annual license, permits and fees. The earlier the purchase is made, the bigger the savings. The Lifetime License is for parents, grandparents and family friends who want to pass on the joys of outdoor recreation to young people and help ensure that today’s youth have the natural resources to share hunting, freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing with their children.

    Lifetime licenses are for conservationists who want to contribute to the long-term management of Florida’s natural resources. Only interest from the trust fund will be appropriated. The principal will be held in perpetuity to ensure future funding for fish and wildlife programs. This endowment will ensure that Florida’s natural resources are conserved today for the future and that your children can pass on your family’s hunting and fishing tradition to their children.

    Lifetime Sportsmen’s License includes: Hunting, Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Crawfish stamps.

  • 4 years or younger $ 401.50
  • 5 - 12 years $701.50
  • 13 - 63 years $1001.50
  • 64 years or older $13.50
  • Five-Year Resident Freshwater License $61.50
  • Five-Year Resident Saltwater License $61.50
    • (Does not include Snook or Crawfish or Tarpon Tag)

    LIFETIME Freshwater Fishing Licenses:

  • 4 years or younger $126.50
  • 5 - 12 years $226.30
  • 13 years or older $301.50
    • Five-Year Hunting License:
  • (Does not include permits) $56.50

    • LIFETIME Hunting License

    includes: Hunting License; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl stamps.
  • 4 years or younger $201.50
  • 5 - 12 years $351.50
  • 13 years or older $501.50
    • LIFETIME Saltwater Fishing License
    includes Snook and Crawfish stamps.
  • 4 years or younger $126.50
  • 5 - 12 years $226.50

    • 13 years or older $301.50