Florida’s Free Fishing out in Three Years

Florida’s Free Fishing out in Three Years

Saltwater angling to require Federal Fishing License

Posted Dec 24, 2008

Public Policy

Federal registration would be good for one year, and would allow anglers to fish anywhere in U.S. waters.

The first year will be free, but thereafter, a fee of about $15 to $25 per year is planned, NOAA said.

As currently drafted, the requirement will affect “anyone who fishes in federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore), as well as anyone who fishes anywhere for **‘Anadromous or Catadromous’ species,” the DEM said in a report about progress by the R.I. Marine Recreational Fishing License / Registry Study Group. Anglers 15 or younger would not be required to register, nor would people who fish only from licensed party or charter boats.