A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
Floridians fish for free from shore
Shoreline fishing license is free to residents, beginning July 1.
The shoreline fishing license for Florida residents to catch saltwater fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore cost $9 last year, but this year, it’s free beginning July 1.
The Florida Legislature repealed the shoreline license fee during the past session. However, legislators retained the license requirement to prevent a more-costly federal registration fee from taking effect in Florida. There are some exemptions for license requirements.
Resident anglers who obtain the shoreline license over the phone or Internet still will have to pay a convenience fee to the vendor. The convenience fee is $2.31 for Internet sales at www.fl.wildlifelicense.com or $3.33 for phone sales at 888-FISH FLORIDA (888-347-4356).
Only Florida residents qualify for a no-cost shoreline license, and the license does not cover fishing from a boat or from land or a structure accessible only by boat. That requires a regular saltwater fishing license: $17 for residents; for nonresidents the cost is $17 for three days, $30 for seven days or $47 per year.
And as for the Free Fishing Weekend (Taken from FWC Website):
June 15, 2010
Contact: Governor's Press Office, 850-488-5394; Lee Schlesinger (FWC), 850-487-0554
Gov. Charlie Crist announced on Tuesday another free fishing weekend to encourage people, especially dads and their kids, to get out and catch saltwater fish along Florida's beautiful coastlines. The announcement follows a briefing on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill's impact to Florida waters with President Obama in Pensacola. All Florida residents and visitors are invited to fish statewide for saltwater species without a license during the upcoming Father's Day weekend, June 19-20. All other saltwater fishing rules continue to apply.
"Extending a special, free fishing weekend is another reminder that Florida is still the fishing capital of the world," Crist said. "Our vast Gulf and Atlantic coastal waters are open for fishing, and I encourage everyone, particularly fathers and their families, to take advantage of this free fishing weekend in Florida."
Crist previously designated this year's Memorial Day weekend and the first weekend in June as free fishing weekends. Chairman Rodney Barreto of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was pleased with the governor's new declaration.
"Gov. Crist's actions to extend another free fishing weekend will help bring families together to enjoy the outdoors and lend a hand to Florida's fishing communities, which have been suffering due to mistaken perceptions that fishing is not open because of the BP oil spill," Barreto said.
The FWC continues to vigorously monitor the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and is working closely with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson to prepare for any action that might be needed to further protect Florida's saltwater fisheries and ensure that Florida seafood is safe to eat.
Crist and the President were briefed on the oil spill by Adm.Thad Allen at a Pensacola seafood restaurant. Afterward, Crist joined the President for a tour of Pensacola's shore.
Go to MyFWC.com/Fishing for more information regarding fishing regulations in Florida.
Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn. ~Chuck Clark
