The Department of Environmental Protection is the administrative office that regulates saltwater fishing. The Florida Marine Patrol is the law enforcement agency that is charged with protecting the valuable marine resources of the State of Florida.

A saltwater fishing license is required by all anglers who fish in saltwater. This includes each person fishing from a pleasure craft, on a sandbar or any other land mass accessible by boat or by swimming through water deeper than four feet.

Underwater divers who take or attempt to take marine fish must also obtain a license.

Anyone who operates a non-commercial fishing vessel for hire must purchase a saltwater license. This recreational license will exempt passengers from having to obtain individual licenses.

Other Exemptions:

You don't have to obtain a salt water fishing license if:

1.) You are a Florida resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to land.

2.) You are fishing from a pier which has been issued a pier saltwater license.

3.) Anyone who holds 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 aboard a vessel to which a commercial Saltwater Products License has been issued may claim exemption at any given time.

Visit the link to your left, in the upper menu for Freshwater information.