Fishing is a fun, stress-relieving activity that you can enjoy with your family and friends anytime. Here are just a few reasons why you should get out on the water and start enjoying fishing:
• Connect with your Family: Family fishing is a great way for family members of all ages to connect and have fun.
• Connect with Nature: 90 percent of Americans live within an hour of navigable water. Fishing is a great opportunity to connect more with nature.
• De-stress: Fishing is ranked as one of the top three of all stress-relieving activities.
• Help Conserve: The funds from your fishing licenses and boat registrations go towards the conservation of our natural aquatic areas.
In the state of Florida, fishermen and women need to purchase a fishing license in order to drop a lure or net into the many salt or fresh water bodies that teem with fish, crustaceans or mollusks.
These licenses can be purchased from a tax collector's office, an official licensing agent or online at gooutdoorsflorida.com.
However, avid anglers will want to get ready to fish! This Saturday is free saltwater fishing in Florida!
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): “License-free fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for those who don't yet have a fishing license to experience fishing, take youth fishing, or for avid anglers to introduce a friend to fishing without having to purchase a license.”
On the select days that have been designated as Free Fishing Days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including Florida residents and non-residents alike.
While other state fishing rules, such as season observations, bagging limits and fish size limits still apply, anglers will be able to fish in fresh and salt waters without needing to purchase a license.
During these days, the saltwater waiver applies to any recreational harvest that requires a saltwater fishing license, such as crabbing, lobstering and scalloping.
It also applies to any fishing that is done from the shore or a boat.
Snook or spiny lobster permits are also not required on these days.
For more information about saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses, as well as permits for wildlife, hunting, or recreational licenses, visit the FWC website at myfwc.com/license.