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:

Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Young woman holding straw hat teaching a young boy how to fish while sitting on a dock over a still lake

Shoreline Fishing License, Free to Residents

Important Note

Even though the saltwater shoreline license is free, all Florida residents anglers are required to have the saltwater shoreline license in their possession when fishing from the shoreline.

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 Captain4 or Fewer Customers$201.50
Charter Captain10 or Fewer Customers$401.50
Charter Captain11 or More Customers$801.50
Charter Boat4 or Fewer Customers$201.50
Charter Boat6 or Fewer Customers$401.50
Charter Boat10 or Fewer Customers$401.50
Charter Boat11 or Fewer Customers$801.50