Hunting and Fishing FAQ

Please see below for the most frequently asked questions about hunting and fishing.

  • Do You Have to Have a Fishing License If You Use a Cane Pole?

    The "cane pole law" allows a resident to fish in the county of his/her residence with live or natural bait, using poles or hand lines that are not equipped with a reel, for non-commercial purposes. However, a valid fishing license is required to fish by any method in a Fish Management Area. No license is required to fish in a private fishing pond.

  • Can You Use Traps to Catch Fish?

    Traps may be used in recreational fishing for stone crab, blue crab, shrimp, Pinfish and black sea bass subject to the appropriate regulations

  • Can You Use Nets to Fish in Freshwater and Saltwater?

    The following types of nets may be used for recreational purposes in Florida waters: bully nets (for lobster only), landing or dip nets, cast nest, push nets, beach or haul seines. Recreational seines may have a maximum of 500 sq. ft. of mesh area and no larger than a 2" stretch mesh. 
     

  • Do You Have to Have a Saltwater License If You Are Catching Mullet in Freshwater?

    A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in freshwater with a valid Florida freshwater fishing license will not need a saltwater license.
     

  • Do You Need a Saltwater License If You Catch Saltwater Fish in Freshwater?

    If an angler catches a saltwater fish in freshwater from land or from a structure fixed to land he/she will not need a saltwater license. If he/she is fishing from a vessel he/she will need a saltwater license.
     

  • Do You Need a Fishing License If You Are on a Charter Vessel?

    If you are fishing from a vessel- guide, charter, party boat or head boat with a valid recreational fishing license, you don't need a license.
     

  • Do You Have to Have a Fishing License If You Are Fishing from a Pier?

    A Florida resident fishing from land or a structure fixed to the land - a pier, bridge, dock, floating dock (attached to land), jetty or similar structure does not need a license. All Non-residents must have a license unless the pier he/she is fishing from has a valid pier saltwater license.
     

  • Where Are the Boundaries for the Water Management Areas?

    This information can be found in the hunting handbook & Regulations summary magazine under Wildlife Management Areas and other individual brochures we have in our offices, or you can download them from the Seasons & Bag Limits Tab on the Hunting and Fishing Menu. 
     

  • On the Disability Hunting & Fishing License Form, One Proof of Residency Is a Statement from a Current Landlord. Can This Just Be a Simple Statement on Paper or Does It Have to Be Something Special? What Does the Statement Need to Contain?

    Yes, the landlord can write a statement stating (John Doe) has been living on my premises or I have been collecting rent from (John Doe) for a period of six months. The landlords signature doesn't need to be notarized.
     

  • If a Person Moves to Florida and Applies for Their Disabled Hunting & Fishing License, Can They Hunt or Fish During the Time Period They Are Waiting for the State to Issue Their Disabled License? or Do They Have to Pay for a License in Order to Be Legal During That Time?

    No, they can't hunt or fish during this time. Yes, they must purchase a license if they want to hunt or fish until they receive their disabled license.
     

  • Do Senior Citizens Have to Apply for a Quota Hunt?

    Residents 65 or older, residents certified totally and permanently disabled, residents in the armed forces stationed out of state and home on leave for 30 days or less and children under age 16 are exempt and are not required to have a quota hunt permit in hunting areas other than the type1 wildlife management areas. All of the above must apply for a quota if hunting in a type 1 wildlife management area (see hunting handbook for these areas).
     

  • Do the Free Hunting and Fishing License for Senior Citizens Apply Only to Florida Residents or Are They for All Senior Citizens?

    The complimentary free hunting and fishing license for senior citizens apply only to Florida residents. However, Georgia residents 65 years of age or older, who possess a Georgia Honorary Hunting & Fishing Certificate and proof of age may hunt and freshwater fish in Florida. Likewise, those who possess a Florida Senior Citizen Hunting & Fishing certificate is accepted in Georgia, but a trout stamp may be required.