Fishing and Spearfishing

License Requirements

The law says anyone who takes, attempts to take, or possesses marine fish for non-commercial purposes must have a saltwater fishing license unless you are:

• Under 16 years of age.
  
  
• A Florida resident fishing from land or a structure fixed to land. This includes piers, bridges, docks, floating docks, or jetties, but not boats.
  
  
• A Florida resident who is 65 years of age or older.
  
  
• A Florida resident who is a member of the United States Armed Forces stationed outside of Florida and home on leave for thirty days or less.
  
  
• A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in freshwater with a valid freshwater fishing license.
  
  
• A Florida resident fishing for saltwater fish in freshwater from land or a structure attached to land.
  
  
• Fishing from a boat which has a valid recreational vessel saltwater fishing license.
  
  
• A non-resident fishing from a pier which has a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
  
  
• Holder of a valid commercial saltwater products license, other than the owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel for which a saltwater fishing license is required. Only one person may claim this exemption at any time.
  
  
• Accepted by the Florida Department of HRS for developmental services, or assigned by the court to a HRS rehabilitation program that involves training in Florida aquatic resources.
  
  
• A Florida resident who is permanently and totally disabled may obtain a permanent saltwater fishing license at no charge from a county tax collector.
  
  

• Have lived continuously in Florida for six months or have established legal residence in Florida.
  
  
• Are a member of the United States Armed Forces stationed in Florida.
  
  
• Are a student enrolled at a college or university in Florida.

Fees

The following fees for Florida fishing licenses were effective July, 1996. The county tax collector's office and local bait-and-tackle shops charge an additional $1.50 to $2.00 service fee for license issue. Some species require additional stamps. Check with the Florida Marine Patrol or a Florida local tax collector's office for updated information.

Limits

This is an extract from a summary by the Department of Environmental Protection of regulations governing the taking of saltwater species in Florida's Gulf of Mexico waters as of July, 2000. Not all regulated species are listed! Other restrictions apply to most species. Check with the Florida Marine Patrol for further information. For the Destin area, the Florida Marine Patrol District 5 office may be reached at 850-233-5150.

• Nassau Grouper
• Jewfish
• Sawfish
• Basking Shark
• Whale Shark
• Spotted Eagle Ray
• Sturgeon
• White Shark
• Sand Tiger Shark
• Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark
• Manta Rays

You may NOT spearfish:

• Within 100 yards of a public bathing beach, any commercial or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed.
  
  
• Within 100 feet of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of the sea, except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1500 yards from the shoreline.
  
  
• For any species of ornamental reef fish.
  
  
• For any fish for which spearfishing is expressly prohibited by law.
  
  
• In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the DEP's Division of Recreation and Parks. Possession of spearfishing equipment is prohibited in these areas.
  
  
• The taking and sale of fish by spearfishing are subject to the same rules and limitations as for other fishermen in the State of Florida.