Florida's fresh and saltwater fishing environments offer fishermen a rich diversity of fishing habitats and fish species. Florida fishing laws and regulations are designed to sustain these environments for the more than 1 million licensed anglers who fish in the state each year. The territory is divided into five fishing regions; northwest, north-central, northeast, southwest and south, and each of these regions can have specific rules and regulations with respect to bag limits and fishing methods. However, most fishing laws and regulations are enforced in a uniform manner across the state.
The development of Florida's current fishing laws began with the inception of the Marine Fisheries Commission in 1983. The creation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission in 1999 changed the dynamic of regulatory planning and enforcement, as the Marine Fisheries Commission and its Game and Fresh Water Division were integrated under the Commission's new organizational structure; a new emphasis was brought to programs that affect numerous species such as habitat management. The Commission has tried to move its decision-making process closer to the public; it has engaged numerous public outreach programs and conducted public consultations on major rule changes.
Fresh and saltwater fish can be harvested with a pole and line or a rod and reel. Bully nets, frame nets, handheld landing nets and casting nets are permitted for both saltwater and freshwater fishing; however, there are particular size limits. Spears may be used to fish all species in saltwater except for a select group of 21 species, which include sharks, lobster, manta rays, sturgeon and giant grouper among others. It is illegal to fish with a spear in state freshwater lakes. Reef gear is required while fishing reef fish in saltwater; a de-hook device is required to catch reef fish in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Gulf, a venting tool is also required. The use of firearms, explosives and chemicals to fish is prohibited. Hook and line gear must be attended to at all times, though there is no limit on the number of rods you can use. It is illegal to discard nets or any other fishing gear in the water.
Non-game fish, such as freshwater shrimp and golden shiners, may be taken and used as bait. Golden shiners of any size are permitted; however all other baits must be less than 8 inches in total length. Black and peacock bass, live goldfish, whole pickerel or bream, including bluegill, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, redear sunfish and flier, may not be used as bait, nor may any part of their bodies.
Five black bass may be caught per day, though only one of these five may be 22 inches or longer. Fifty panfish and 25 black crappie may be caught per day. Twenty striped, white and sunshine bass can be caught daily, but only six of these may be over 24 inches long. The daily limit for butterfly peacock is two and only one can be 17 inches or longer. It is illegal to possess grass carp or alligator gar. Non-game fish have no daily bag or possession limits. Special size restrictions and bag limits may apply to particular lakes and rivers in particular fishing regions and fish management areas; anglers should check local listings for the latest regulations.
Eighty-seven different species of fish, invertebrates and marine plants are listed in the state regulation charts, and specific size and daily bag limits exist for each of them. In general, each angler may keep up to 20 fish each day, and you may only catch five fish of the same species. Possession limits are two days, and the maximum possession limit is 40 fish. Many marine organisms may not be fished, such as bahama starfish, hard corals and some species of crab. You must have a live well equipped with an oxygenation system to keep fish alive while on the water.
A Florida fishing license is required to fish in-state salt and freshwaters, unless you are under the age of 16 or over the age of 65. For state residents, a freshwater fishing license for the 2010/2011 season is $17 and a five-year fishing license is $79. A freshwater and saltwater combination license is $32.50. For non-residents an annual freshwater license is $47, a three-day license is $17 and a seven-day license is $30. The options and prices are the same for saltwater permits. Lifetime freshwater and saltwater licenses are available for Florida residents. A lifetime license is $126.50 for children 4 years or younger, $226.50 for those aged 5 to 12, and $301.50 for anyone 13 or older.
