Florida's resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 shoreline fishing license by August 1, unless they have already have a regular resident saltwater fishing license. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida.
Florida has always required nonresidents to have a license when fishing from shore, and they will still need to purchase a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license.
The new resident license for residents goes on sale July 15. It provides all of the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children, disabled people who meet certain qualifications, active-duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier. In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions: anglers drawing food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid; and anglers fishing in their home counties who use cane poles or other gear that does not depend on mechanical retrieval.
The Florida Legislature passed the new license requirement at the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to head off a federal license requirement that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010. The new Florida license exempts resident anglers from the federal license requirement.
