On September 1st, 2013 you and your family can enjoy a day of license free saltwater fishing anywhere in Florida.
On August 26, 2013 Governor Rick Scott and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that on Sept 1, 2013 Florida residents as well as visitors can experience the fun activities saltwater recreation has to offer without possessing a license to do so. This waiver applies to crabbing, lobstering’, scalloping, and fishing from a boat or shore. However bag limits, season, and size limits still apply.
“The license free fishing day on September 1, 2013 is a great way for families to enjoy Florida’s incredible saltwater fishing opportunities during the Labor Day holiday. Florida is the fishing capital of the world and this license free weekend is a great opportunity to introduce friends and family who may have never experienced Florida saltwater fishing to enjoy the Sunshine States’ bountiful waters and historic fishing communities,” said Governor Scott.
Earlier this year license free freshwater fishing days was held on April 13th ,June 8th ,June 1st, and for saltwater.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation is considering an additional four days of license free fishing that will be addressed at a meeting on Sept 5, 2013in Pensacola. If the proposal is approved it will add two more saltwater and two freshwater license free fishing days to the calendar before the end of 2013.
Annual fishing license for Florida residents can be purchased by calling 1-800-FISH-FLORIDA or by logging onto License.MyFWC.com. All fees are used to fund restoration projects to Florida’s waterways and to help support the FWC.
If you are a Florida visitor 16 years of age or older, you do not need a valid saltwater fishing license, snook permit, or spiny lobster permit if:
- You fish from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid vessel license
- You fish from a vessel in which the operator has a valid vessel license issued in the name of the operator of that vessel
- You are saltwater fishing during free fishing days
- You fish for recreational purposes from a pier with a valid pier saltwater fishing license
You have a valid saltwater products license or FWC charter captain license (does not apply to charter boat license or U.S. Coast Guard license).
These exceptions do not apply to tarpon tags.
Florida visitors 16 years of age and older do not need a freshwater fishing license if:
- You are fishing in a man-made fish pond of 20 acres or less which is located entirely within the private property of its owner.
- You are fishing on license free freshwater fishing days
- You are fishing in a man-made fish pond of 20 acres or more, whose owner has purchased a fish pond license at a fee of $3 per surface acre
- You are fishing in the St. Mary’s River or Lake Seminole (but not including tributary creeks in Florida) and have a valid Georgia fishing license.
Happy fishing!
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