Florida Bass Fishing Forum
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Where do I get the free Florida fishing license?

I read that on July 1st the Florida fishing license are to become free of charge, yet if you buy it online there's a fee, so I'd like to know if there's a place I can just pick it up for free or is there a surcharge wherever I go.

Public Comments

1. I seriously doubt a fishing license would be free for any length of time. If you did read that, I would have to think that there is some kind of catch to it.

Maybe do a bit of research about it online.

Edit: Nick, I stand corrected then. That's very interesting to me. I'm assuming it is for saltwater fishing? I was there one year, fishing a small pond on a golf course. I was told I did have to have a license. It didn't surprise me, but I figured I'd ask just to be sure I wasn't wasting my money on something not necessary.

2. You can get them at most Wal Mart's and at DMV and Tax Collector offices. There might be a small surcharge no matter where you go, but it is only a couple of bucks.


Remember, the only free license is for fishing in saltwater form shore for Florida residents.

At the guy who posted above me: they certainly are free here in Florida now, and in fact you used to not need a license at all here.

3. As of July 1, 2010 you can now get a "free" saltwater shorelline license in the state of Florida. There is a catch, you have to pay the surcharge fee. There's more, most of the stamps; Snook, and Lobster fees went through the roof. If you were slick enough to buy them ( stamps) before July 1, you paid the lower price and fish on for a whole year without any problems. You can check out the details here: http://myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/10/statewide/News_10_X_LicenseFees1.htm

~good luck catchin'