Florida’s laws regarding hunting and fishing licenses in 2025 are comprehensive and designed to ensure sustainable wildlife management and conservation. Here’s an overview of the key requirements and updates for 2025:
Hunting Licenses and Regulations
Who Needs a License:
-Residents: All Florida residents ages 16 to 64 must have a resident hunting license. Additional permits are required for specific game species or hunting locations, such as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
-Non-Residents: Anyone 16 or older who is not a Florida resident must obtain a non-resident hunting license.
-Youth: Children under 16 are not required to have a license but must follow all hunting laws and safety guidelines.
Exemptions:
-Seniors: Florida residents age 65 and older are exempt from needing a hunting license, WMA permit, archery, crossbow, and muzzleloading permits. They must carry proof of age and residency.
-Military: Florida residents on active duty outside the state may hunt without a license while home on leave for 30 days or less.
-Disabled Persons: Residents with qualifying permanent disabilities may obtain a no-cost hunting and fishing license.
Hunter Education:
-Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license.
Types of Licenses and Permits:
-Resident Hunting License: Required for general hunting (does not include all permits).
-Sportsman’s License: Includes hunting, WMA, archery, muzzleloading, crossbow, deer, turkey, and waterfowl permits.
-Gold Sportsman’s License: Includes all hunting and fishing privileges, including snook and lobster permits.
-Lifetime Licenses: Available for residents only, providing lifetime hunting privileges.
-Species-Specific Permits: Required for deer, turkey, waterfowl, migratory birds, and alligators.
-WMA Permit: Required to hunt in most Wildlife Management Areas.
2025 Updates:
-Rule Changes: Many hunting regulation changes take effect July 1, 2025, including adjustments to bag limits, season dates, and quota permit allocations.
-Digital Quota Application: Modernization of the digital quota application process.
-New Permits: A no-cost permit is now required to hunt deer with dogs on WMAs.
Fishing Licenses and Regulations
Who Needs a License:
Residents: A fishing license is required unless exempt. Exemptions include:
-Children under 16.
-Residents 65 and older with proof of age and residency.
-Fishing from a licensed charter, pier, or boat rental with a commercial license.
-Fishing on your homestead or a family member’s homestead in your county of residence.
-Disabled persons with proper certification.
Non-Residents: Required for all non-exempt anglers.
Types of Licenses:
-Freshwater Fishing License: Required for lakes, rivers, and ponds.
-Saltwater Fishing License: Required for saltwater bodies.
-Combination Licenses: Include both freshwater and saltwater privileges.
-Sportsman’s License: Includes hunting and fishing privileges.
-Lifetime Licenses: Available for residents, providing lifetime fishing rights.
Special Permits:
-Snook, Tarpon, Spiny Lobster: Additional permits required for these species.
-Stone Crab, Blue Crab, Shore-Based Shark Fishing: No-cost permits required.
-Reef Fish (from private boats): Free permit required.
License-Free Days:
-Freshwater: First weekend in April and second weekend in June (April 5–6 and June 14–15, 2025).
-Saltwater: No statewide saltwater license-free days currently, but check for local events.
2025 Updates:
-License Fees: Annual resident freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses are $15.50 each (as per statutes).
-Regulatory Updates: Always check for the latest changes in bag limits, size limits, and seasons, as regulations can change annually.
Summary Table
| Activity | License Required? | Notable Exemptions/Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting (16–64) | Yes | Seniors, youth, military, disabled exempt |
| Hunting (Non-resident, 16+) | Yes | None |
| Fishing (Resident) | Yes (unless exempt) | Seniors, youth, disabled, homestead, license-free days |
| Fishing (Non-resident) | Yes | None |
| Special Permits | Yes (for some species) | Snook, tarpon, lobster, stone crab, blue crab, shark, reef fish |
Key Takeaways
Hunting and fishing licenses are required for most people in Florida unless exempt.
Additional permits are needed for certain species and locations.
Hunter education is required for those born on or after June 1, 1975.
Seniors, youth, disabled persons, and military may be exempt from certain requirements.
Always check for the latest updates and local regulations before hunting or fishing in Florida.
Sources:
- https://www.flhouse.gov/Statutes/2025/0379.354/
- https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/
- https://myfwc.com/hunting/regulations/proposed-rules/
- https://www.yatco.com/florida-fishing-license-guide/