Yes. In general, you need a freshwater license to take freshwater fish and a saltwater license to take saltwater fish, unless one of the exemptions specified on this Web site applies to your situation. Obviously if you are fishing in pure fresh water where no saltwater species live, you need a freshwater license and if you are fishing in the Gulf. you need a saltwater license.
However, when you get into estuarine type areas where salt and fresh water commingle and fish of both types can be found the issue becomes less clear.
The interpretation of the rule is:
- You need either a freshwater, saltwater or combination license to fish.
- If you are using species specific gear, your license should be appropriate (e.g., freshwater or saltwater) to the species you are targeting,
- You need an appropriate type license to keep your catch and must immediately release any species for which you are not licensed. License requirements follow the species of fish, regardless of where they are caught. In other words, if you only have a freshwater license and are primarily fishing for largemouth bass or bream (freshwater species) in a river, but happen to catch a red drum (a saltwater species), you must immediately release the red drum.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY, RENEW, OR REPLACE YOUR FLORIDA FISHING LICENSE.
Information obtained via Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
