Florida residents age 65 or older are exempt from needing a recreational hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license, as well as permits for waterfowl, migratory birds, deer, turkey, snook, spiny lobster, archery season, crossbow season, muzzleloading season, or management areas. To qualify for this exemption, they must possess proof of age and residency, such as a valid Florida driver’s license or ID card.
Exemptions for Residents 65 and Older
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older are exempt from needing a recreational hunting or fishing license, as well as various associated permits. To qualify for this exemption, they must possess proof of age and residency, such as a valid Florida driver’s license, ID card, or a Resident 65 Hunt/Fish Certificate.
The Resident 65 Hunt/Fish Certificate is available at no cost online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or at county tax collectors’ offices. Once a Florida resident reaches the age of 65, they can obtain this certificate to prove their eligibility for the exemption.
Exemptions for Freshwater Fishing
In addition to the general exemption for residents 65 and older, there are several other exemptions for freshwater fishing in Florida:
- Youth under 16 years of age
- Residents fishing in their county of residence on their homestead or the homestead of their spouse or minor child
- Residents certified as totally and permanently disabled who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person’s Hunting and Fishing License
- Florida residents who are members of the Armed Forces, not stationed in the state, and home on leave for 30 days or less
- Those hunting for wild hog on private land
- Individuals observing or filming someone else who is fishing and not assisting in the take
Exemptions for Saltwater Fishing
There are also several exemptions for saltwater fishing in Florida:
- Youth under 16 years of age
- Residents fishing from a licensed fishing pier
- Residents fishing from a vessel with a valid recreational saltwater vessel license
- Residents fishing during a free saltwater fishing day
- Residents fishing from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license
- Residents with a valid saltwater products license or FWC charter captain license
- Residents fishing for mullet in fresh water who hold a valid freshwater fishing license
- Residents fishing from land or a structure fixed to land who have been determined eligible for food stamps, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid
- Residents fishing with live or natural bait, using poles or lines not equipped with a fishing-line-retrieval mechanism, for noncommercial purposes in their home county
It’s important to note that while residents 65 and older are exempt from needing a license or permit, they must still carry proof of age and residency, such as a valid Florida driver’s license or ID card, when fishing.
For more information on fishing licenses and exemptions in Florida, visit the FWC website at MyFWC.com or contact your local county tax collector’s office.