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Do You Need a Fishing License on a Florida Keys Fishing Charter?
If you are booking a Florida Keys fishing charter, one of the first questions you may have is whether you need to buy a Florida fishing license before getting on the boat.
For most people fishing on a properly licensed saltwater charter, the answer is no.
The charter license normally covers the paying passengers on the boat.
That makes charter fishing much easier for visitors who are flying or driving into the Florida Keys for a vacation.
But there are a few situations where the answer changes.
Here is what you need to know before your trip.
Do You Need a Fishing License on a Florida Keys Charter?
If you are fishing from a properly licensed for-hire vessel, such as a charter boat or party boat, you generally do not need to purchase your own recreational saltwater fishing license.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says passengers fishing from a for-hire vessel with a valid charter license are exempt from holding their own recreational saltwater license. (MyFWC)
That means most tourists booking a standard Florida Keys fishing charter do not need to stop and buy a separate license first.
The captain or vessel license covers the customers who are fishing.
Why Does the Charter Cover Your Fishing License?
Florida requires charter and headboat operators to carry the proper licensing for their business.
According to FWC, charter, headboat, and saltwater guide operations must have an FWC charter captain or boat license that covers their fishing passengers. (MyFWC)
The number of fishing passengers covered depends on the type of license the operator has.
That is one reason you should book with a legitimate charter operation rather than someone casually offering fishing trips.
A properly licensed captain should know exactly how many fishing passengers the boat is authorized to carry.
Do Tourists Need a Florida Fishing License?
Usually, yes, if they are fishing on their own.
Florida requires non-residents age 16 and older to have the appropriate fishing license when fishing recreationally unless they qualify for an exemption. (MyFWC)
But fishing aboard a properly licensed charter is one of those exemptions.
So if you are visiting from another state and your only fishing will be aboard a licensed charter boat, you generally do not need to purchase your own recreational saltwater license.
What If You Fish Before or After Your Charter?
This is where people sometimes get confused.
Your charter boat’s license does not give you a blanket license to fish everywhere during your Florida Keys vacation.
It covers you while you are fishing under that charter operation.
If you decide to fish independently later, you may need your own license.
For example, you might need one if you:
- Fish from your own boat
- Rent a boat and fish
- Fish from shore
- Fish from certain bridges or docks
- Fish from a kayak
- Fish from a vessel that does not have a license covering passengers
Check the current FWC requirements before fishing on your own.
See Florida fishing license information from FWC
What About Fishing From Shore?
The rules are different from charter fishing.
Florida residents who qualify can obtain a no-cost shoreline saltwater fishing license for fishing from land or a structure attached to land.
Non-residents are not eligible for that no-cost shoreline license and generally need a Florida saltwater fishing license unless another exemption applies. (MyFWC)
So if you take a charter on Monday and decide to fish from shore on Tuesday, do not assume Monday’s charter coverage carries over.
It does not.
Do You Need a License on a Party Boat?
If the party boat has the proper charter or headboat license, passengers generally do not need to buy an individual recreational saltwater fishing license.
FWC specifically includes charter boats and party boats among the properly licensed for-hire vessels that can cover customers. (MyFWC)
This is one of the similarities between a private charter and a party boat.
The big differences are usually price, number of passengers, personal attention, and flexibility.
You can compare the two in our Party Boat vs. Private Fishing Charter in the Florida Keys guide.
Does a Child Need a Fishing License?
Children under 16 do not need a Florida recreational fishing license. (MyFWC)
That applies regardless of whether they are visiting or living in Florida.
Even so, tell your charter captain exactly how many children will be coming and their ages.
Passenger limits and life-jacket requirements are separate issues from fishing-license requirements.
Does the Charter License Cover Everyone on the Boat?
It covers the number of fishing customers authorized by the charter license.
FWC notes that passengers above the number specified on the vessel license are not covered to fish simply because the boat can physically carry them. (MyFWC)
That ties into the passenger-limit issue we covered in our guide to how many people can go on a Florida Keys fishing charter.
If you have a large group, tell the captain exactly how many people intend to fish.
Can Someone Bring Their Own Fishing License Anyway?
Yes.
There is nothing wrong with already having your own Florida recreational saltwater fishing license.
You might have one because you plan to fish from shore or from another boat during the same vacation.
But having your own license does not allow an unlicensed charter operation to ignore its own licensing requirements.
The captain and vessel still need to comply with the rules that apply to for-hire fishing.
What If You Want to Fish for Tarpon?
Tarpon deserve special attention.
FWC notes that the general charter-license exemption does not apply to tarpon tags. (MyFWC)
Most recreational tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys is catch-and-release.
If your trip involves a situation where a tarpon tag would be required, talk with the captain beforehand.
For most visitors simply booking a tarpon charter and releasing fish, the captain should be able to explain exactly what applies.
What About Lobster Trips?
Do not assume every fishing-license rule works exactly the same for every activity.
Lobstering, diving, and harvesting other marine organisms can have additional permit requirements.
FWC notes that scuba divers fishing or lobstering from a vessel may need individual licenses or permits if the vessel does not carry the necessary vessel license. (MyFWC)
If you are booking a lobster charter or a combination fishing and lobster trip, ask the operator what licenses and permits are covered.
Do You Need a Fishing License for Catch and Release?
If you are fishing independently, yes, in most cases.
FWC says a fishing license is required when attempting to take fish, even if you intend to release everything you catch. (MyFWC)
The fact that you are not keeping fish does not automatically remove the license requirement.
On a properly licensed charter, however, the vessel’s charter license normally covers the paying passengers.
What About Fishing in Federal Waters?
Florida Keys fishing trips may move between state and federal waters depending on where the captain is fishing.
That does not mean you suddenly need to buy a separate recreational license halfway through the trip.
A legitimate charter operation should carry the licenses and permits required for the type of fishing it offers.
Some species and federal fisheries can involve additional vessel permits and regulations.
As a customer, you do not need to memorize all of those rules.
Ask the captain whether the trip and target species are properly covered.
Does a Fishing License Let You Keep Any Fish You Catch?
No.
This is an important distinction.
A fishing license gives you permission to fish under the conditions of that license.
It does not override:
- Size limits
- Bag limits
- Closed seasons
- Protected species rules
- Gear restrictions
- Area closures
- Federal regulations
A fish can still be illegal to keep even though you are fishing legally.
Your captain should know the current rules for the fish you are targeting.
Read our Can You Keep the Fish You Catch on a Florida Keys Charter? guide for more on that.
How Much Does a Florida Saltwater Fishing License Cost?
If you plan to fish outside your charter, you may need your own license.
At the time of writing, FWC lists these recreational saltwater license prices:
- Florida resident annual license: $17
- Non-resident 3-day license: $17
- Non-resident 7-day license: $30
- Non-resident annual license: $47
FWC can change fees and license options, so check the official site before purchasing. (MyFWC)
Check current Florida saltwater fishing licenses and fees
Where Can You Buy a Florida Fishing License?
If you need your own license, Florida makes them fairly easy to purchase.
FWC licenses are available through the state’s licensing system and authorized sellers.
The safest starting point is the official FWC website.
Florida recreational saltwater fishing licenses
Do not buy a license simply because a random website tells you that every Florida Keys visitor needs one.
Your charter may already cover you.
Ask the Captain Before Buying Anything
The easiest way to handle the license question is to ask before your trip.
Send a simple message:
“Does your charter license cover the fishing licenses for everyone in our group?”
The answer should normally be straightforward.
You can also ask:
- Are all passengers covered?
- Do we need any special permits?
- Does anything change if we fish for tarpon?
- Are children covered?
- Do we need anything if we keep fish?
- Are the licenses included in the charter price?
This takes less than a minute and removes any uncertainty.
A Fishing License Is Usually One Less Thing to Worry About
For most travelers booking a properly licensed Florida Keys saltwater charter, you will not need to purchase your own recreational fishing license for the charter trip.
The charter operation handles that coverage.
That is one of the conveniences of hiring a captain.
You can show up, get on the boat, and concentrate on fishing.
Just remember that the coverage normally applies to the charter itself.
If you plan to fish independently during the rest of your vacation, check the FWC rules for that type of fishing.
Plan the Rest of Your Florida Keys Fishing Charter
If this will be your first trip, read our Florida Keys Fishing Charters for Beginners.
You can also read What Happens on a Florida Keys Fishing Charter? so you know what the day will look like from arrival to return.
And use our Florida Keys Fishing Calendar to see what may be available during your vacation.
