Snook to Close in State, Federal Waters
Recreational harvest of snook in Atlantic state and federal waters will close on June 1st. Snook will reopen for harvest in Atlantic federal and state waters on Sept. 1st. For more information please visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Freshwater fishing in the State of Florida is regulated by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. This agency sets and enforces policies and initiates environmental conservation programs to protect Florida wildlife. In addition, this state office determines license fees which are set by the Florida Legislature.
Due to budget reductions, FWC will no longer be able to provide printed copies of recreational saltwater fishing regulations. Saltwater fishing regulations will be available online at the link below:
Shoreline Fishing License, Free to Residents
The shoreline fishing license for Florida residents to catch saltwater fish from the shore or a structure affixed to the shore is free. *However, all Florida residents anglers are required to have the saltwater shoreline license in their possession when fishing from the shoreline. Saltwater shoreline licenses are available at all Martin County Tax Collector offices.
Only Florida residents qualify for a no-cost shoreline license, and the license does not cover fishing from a boat or from land or a structure accessible only by boat. Resident anglers who obtain the shoreline license over the phone or Internet still will have to pay a convenience fee to the vendor.
Annual Fishing Licenses and permits expire 12 months from the date of purchase.
Resident Fishing License | |
---|---|
License | Cost |
Resident Annual (1 year) Saltwater Fishing | $17.00 |
Resident Annual (1 year) Freshwater Fishing | $17.00 |
Resident Five-Year License | $79.00 |
Snook Permit | $10.00 |
Five-Year Snook Permit | $50.00 |
Lobster Permit | $5.00 |
Five-Year Lobster Permit | $25.00 |
Saltwater Shoreline License ** (effective 7/1/2010) | Free |
Resident Combination License | |
---|---|
License | Cost |
Resident Annual (1 year) Saltwater/Freshwater Combo | $32.50 |
Resident Annual Saltwater/Freshwater & Hunting | $48.00 |
Non-Resident Fishing License | |
---|---|
License | Cost |
Non-Resident Annual (1 year) Saltwater Fishing | $47.00 |
Non-Resident 7 Day Saltwater Fishing | $30.00 |
Non-Resident 3 Day Saltwater Fishing | $17.00 |
Non-Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing | $47.00 |
Non-Resident 7 Day Freshwater Fishing | $30.00 |
Non-Resident 3 Day Freshwater Fishing | $17.00 |
Snook Permit | $10.00 |
Five-Year Snook Permit | $50.00 |
Lobster Permit | $5.00 |
Five-Year Lobster Permit | $25.00 |
License for Charter or Headboat Operators & Professional Fishing Guides
A Charter Captain or Boat License is required to carry paying customers (where a fee is paid directly or indirectly) for the purpose of taking, attempting to take, or possessing saltwater fish or organisms.
To be a saltwater fishing guide in Florida, you must comply with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requirements. The U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) requires all operators of for-hire vessels to have a Captain license.
Charter, headboat and saltwater fishing guide operations must have an FWC charter captain or boat license to cover their passengers, who are not required to hold a recreational saltwater fishing license. Customers authorized to fish under the vessel license are not required to hold a recreational saltwater fishing license.
To purchase a Charter Boat license, you must register your boat as a commercial vessel. The vessel registration documentation will be required in order to obtain a state vessel license. Martin County requires you to obtain a business tax receipt (occupational license) if you are doing business in this county.
Charter Captain/Boat | Customer Amount | Cost |
Charter Captain | 4 or Fewer Customers | $201.50 |
Charter Captain | 10 or Fewer Customers | $401.50 |
Charter Captain | 11 or More Customers | $801.50 |
Charter Boat | 4 or Fewer Customers | $201.50 |
Charter Boat | 6 or Fewer Customers | $401.50 |
Charter Boat | 10 or Fewer Customers | $401.50 |
Charter Boat | 11 or Fewer Customers | $801.50 |