Buy your Florida fishing license online, by phone, or in person at authorized retailers

You can get a Florida fishing license through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website, by calling their licensing office, or at thousands of retail locations across the state. The online route is fastest — you can purchase and print your license the same day. Phone and in-person purchases take the same amount of time, though in-person buying lets you ask questions before you pay.

Florida does not mail physical licenses anymore. When you buy online or by phone, you receive a printed license or a digital version on your phone. Retail locations print your license on the spot. All three routes cost the same and give you a valid license when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The FWC website (GoOutdoorsFlorida.com) sells licenses 24 hours a day and lets you print yours the same day you buy it.
  • Retail locations include Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, sporting goods stores, and bait-and-tackle shops in nearly every Florida county.
  • A 3-day recreational fishing license costs less than a 7-day or annual license, so choose the length that matches your trip.
  • You need your Social Security number and a valid ID to buy a license, whether online, by phone, or in person.
  • Saltwater and freshwater licenses are separate in Florida, so confirm which one you need before you purchase.

Buying online through the FWC website

Go to GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and click "Buy a License" in the top menu. Select "Fishing License" and choose whether you want saltwater, freshwater, or both. Then pick your license length: 3-day, 7-day, or annual. The website will ask for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and Florida driver's license number or ID number.

After you pay by credit or debit card, the website generates a PDF you can print when ready or save to your phone. Some people take a photo of the screen instead. You do not need to laminate it or do anything else — the printed or digital version is your valid license. The FWC recommends keeping it with you while you fish.

The website is open 24 hours, so you can buy a license at midnight if you are leaving for a trip early in the morning. Processing is when ready, and there are no shipping delays because there is nothing to ship.

Buying by phone from the FWC

Call the FWC licensing office at 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356). A representative will walk you through the same questions the website asks: license type, length, and your personal information. They will process your payment over the phone and email you a license PDF, or they can mail a printed copy if you prefer to wait.

Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times vary depending on how many people are calling, but you usually reach someone within a few minutes during business hours. If you call outside those hours, you can leave a message and someone will call you back the next business day.

Buying in person at retail locations

Thousands of stores across Florida sell fishing licenses on the spot. The most common are Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Dick's Sporting Goods, and local bait-and-tackle shops. Most Publix supermarkets also sell them. You can find a complete list of authorized retailers by county on the FWC website under "Where to Buy a License."

Bring your driver's license or state ID and be ready to tell the cashier whether you want saltwater, freshwater, or both, and how long you want the license to last. The retailer will print your license on the spot, usually within a few minutes. You pay the same price as you would online.

Retail locations are useful if you are not sure which license type you need — staff at bait-and-tackle shops especially can answer questions about where you are planning to fish. They can also sell you tackle, bait, and other gear at the same time.

License types and costs

Florida offers three main recreational fishing license lengths. A 3-day license covers three consecutive calendar days and costs the least. A 7-day license covers seven consecutive calendar days. An annual license covers a full year from the date you buy it and costs more upfront but is cheaper per day if you fish regularly.

Saltwater and freshwater licenses are priced separately. A saltwater license lets you fish in the ocean, bays, and estuaries. A freshwater license lets you fish in lakes, rivers, and springs. If you want to fish in both, you can buy a combined license that covers both at a slightly higher price than either alone.

Prices vary slightly by license type and length, so check the FWC website or ask the retailer for the current cost. Florida residents and non-residents pay different prices, so have your ID ready when you buy.

What you need to bring or have ready

For any purchase method, you will need your Social Security number and a valid photo ID. A driver's license works best, but a state ID card, passport, or military ID are also accepted. If you are buying in person, bring the ID with you. If you are buying online or by phone, have the number from your ID ready to type or say aloud.

You do not need a fishing rod, boat registration, or any other gear to buy a license — just your ID and payment method. If you are buying online, you need a credit or debit card. If you are buying by phone, the FWC accepts credit and debit cards. Retail locations accept cash, card, or whatever payment method the store normally takes.

Printing and carrying your license

If you buy online, print your license on regular paper and keep it with you while you fish. The FWC recommends carrying it in a pocket, bag, or waterproof case. You do not need to laminate it, but some people do to protect it from water and wear. A laminating sheet from any office supply store costs a few dollars and takes two minutes.

If you prefer not to print, you can show a digital copy on your phone to a wildlife officer if asked. Take a clear photo of the entire license and keep it saved in your phone's photo library or a notes app so you can pull it up without an internet connection.

If you buy in person, the retailer hands you a printed license. If you buy by phone and ask for a mailed copy, the FWC will send it to your address, but this takes several days, so most people choose the email option and print it themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a fishing license the same day I want to fish?

Yes. If you buy online through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, you can print your license within minutes. If you buy in person at a retail location, you walk out with a printed license in a few minutes. Buying by phone also works the same day, though you will need to print the emailed PDF yourself.

Do I need a separate license for saltwater and freshwater fishing?

You can buy them separately or together. A saltwater license covers ocean and bay fishing. A freshwater license covers lakes, rivers, and springs. If you plan to fish in both, buy a combined license, which is cheaper than buying two separate ones.

What if I lose my printed license while I'm fishing?

If you bought online, log back into GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and read your license again, then print a new copy. If you bought in person, go back to the same retailer or another authorized location and explain what happened — they can reprint it or you can buy a new one. Keep a photo of your license on your phone as a backup.

Can I buy a license for someone else?

No. The license must be in the name of the person who will be fishing. That person needs to provide their own Social Security number and ID information. You can buy a license as a gift by purchasing it in their name if you have their Social Security number and ID details, but they must be the one to use it.

Is there a grace period if my license expires while I'm on a fishing trip?

No. Your license must be valid on the day you fish. If your annual license expires on a Tuesday, you cannot fish on Wednesday without buying a new one. Plan ahead and renew before your current license ends, or buy a longer license before your trip if you are unsure.