You can get a Florida fishing license online, by phone, or in person—the online route takes about 10 minutes

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issues fishing licenses, and you can purchase one through their website at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by calling 888-FISH-FLA (888-347-4352), or at any authorized vendor around the state. The online method is fastest: you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license number, and a payment method, and your license arrives by email when ready. If you're fishing saltwater, freshwater, or both determines which license you need to buy.

Licenses are valid for one year from the date you purchase them, not from a calendar date. A resident license costs less than a non-resident one, and Florida recognizes you as a resident if you've lived there for at least six months or hold a Florida driver's license or ID card. If you're visiting and don't have a Florida ID, you'll pay the non-resident rate.

Key Takeaways

  • Buy your license at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by phone at 888-347-4352, or at a bait shop or sporting goods store—online is fastest and takes about 10 minutes.
  • You need a Social Security number and either a driver's license number or state ID number to purchase online.
  • Resident licenses cost less than non-resident licenses; Florida counts you as a resident if you have a Florida driver's license or have lived there six months or longer.
  • Your license is valid for one year from the purchase date, and you'll receive it by email if you buy online or by mail if you buy by phone.
  • Some people—including Florida residents over 65 and active-duty military—may pay a reduced rate or nothing at all.

Buying online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com

The FWC's official website is the straightforward path. Go to GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, click "Buy a License," and select whether you want saltwater, freshwater, or both. You'll then choose resident or non-resident status. The site will ask for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and email address.

After you enter payment information (credit card, debit card, or electronic check), the license generates when ready and arrives in your email inbox. Print it or save the PDF to your phone—Florida law requires you to have it with you while fishing. If you don't receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or log back into GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to read it.

Buying by phone or at a vendor location

Call 888-FISH-FLA (888-347-4352) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number and driver's license or ID number ready. The agent will process your order and mail the license to you, which typically takes five to seven business days. You can fish while the license is in the mail if you have the confirmation number the agent gives you—write it down or take a photo.

You can also buy in person at authorized vendors: bait and tackle shops, sporting goods stores like Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, and some Walmart locations. Call ahead to confirm the vendor has the license type you need in stock. Buying in person means you walk out with the license when ready.

Reduced rates and exemptions

Florida residents aged 65 and older pay a reduced rate for a resident license. Active-duty military members stationed in Florida and their spouses also receive a discount. Florida residents under 16 do not need a license to fish in freshwater, but they do need one for saltwater. Residents 16 and older always need a license for either type of water.

If you're fishing on a licensed charter boat or party boat, the captain's license covers you—you don't need your own. The same applies if you're fishing from a pier that has a blanket license. Ask the charter operator or pier attendant before you go out.

What to bring when you fish

Carry your license with you every time you fish. Florida law requires it, and a game warden can ask to see it. If you bought online and printed it, bring the printed copy. If you saved it to your phone, have the PDF open and ready to show. If you're waiting for a mailed license and have the confirmation number, write that number on a piece of paper and carry it with you until the physical license arrives.

You'll also need to follow FWC rules about bag limits (how many fish you can keep), size limits, and which species you can keep. These rules differ between saltwater and freshwater and change seasonally. Check the FWC website or your license paperwork for the current rules before you go out.

Renewing your license

When your license expires one year after purchase, you can renew it the same way you bought it: online, by phone, or at a vendor. The FWC does not send renewal reminders, so mark your calendar or set a phone reminder for the expiration date. Fishing without a valid license can result in a fine.

If you buy a new license before the old one expires, the new one starts on the purchase date, not on the expiration date of the old one. There's no way to extend an existing license or transfer it to someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish while I'm waiting for my license to arrive by mail?

Yes, if you have the confirmation number the agent gave you when you ordered by phone. Write the number down or take a photo of it and carry it with you. Once the physical license arrives, use that instead. If you ordered online, your license arrives by email when ready, so you don't have to wait.

Do I need a separate license for saltwater and freshwater?

No. You can buy a license that covers both saltwater and freshwater fishing at the same time. It costs more than a saltwater-only or freshwater-only license, but it's one license that covers everything. Choose the option that matches where you plan to fish.

What happens if I lose my license?

If you bought online, log into GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and read the PDF again. If you bought a physical license by mail or at a vendor and lost it, call 888-FISH-FLA to request a replacement. There may be a small fee for a duplicate.

Can I buy a license as a gift for someone else?

You can buy one online or by phone using someone else's information if they give you their Social Security number and driver's license number. At a vendor location, the person fishing typically needs to be present to provide their own information, though policies vary by vendor—call ahead to ask.

What if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

You can purchase a license if you have a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you don't have either, contact the FWC at 888-FISH-FLA to ask about other options.