The following explains who needs a freshwater or saltwater fishing license and where licenses can be obtained.
Freshwater fishing licenses are required for residents and nonresidents. A resident is:
License fees are set by the Florida Legislature and are subject to change.
North Brevard Service Complex: 700 Park Ave., Titusville, 321-264-5224.
Merritt Island Service Complex: 1450 N. Courtenay Parkway, 321-455-1412.
South Brevard Service Complex: 1515 Sarno Road, Melbourne, 321-255-4410.
Palm Bay Service Complex: 450 Cogan Drive S.E., 321-952-4540.
Indian Harbour Place Shopping Center: 240 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach, 321-779-4009.
Rockledge Square: 1840 S. U.S. 1, 321-633-1897.
Those required to have a license:
Those not required to have a license:
The fee structure:
In addition to the cost of a license or permit, an issuance fee of 50 cents may be charged by the subagent selling the license or permit.
The law establishes blanket vessel licenses for party boats, charter boats and guide boats and a blanket license for fishing piers where a fee is charged. Their customers do not need licenses.
The license is required while taking, attempting to take or possessing marine finfish and invertebrates. That includes anglers who are sport shrimping, clamming, oystering, lobstering or fishing for saltwater species in freshwater areas.
Boats must be registered if their owners reside in the state for more than 90 days. Rates for registration and decal vary from $8.25 for a small motor boat under 11 feet to $127.25 for a 110-foot craft. Fees are set by the Florida Legislature and are subject to change.
Decals expire annually on the first owner's birthday. Titling fees and sales tax also apply if the boat was just purchased, www.hsmv.state.fl.us or www.brevardtaxcollector.com
All motorized boats or canoes must be titled. No registration fee is required for boats or canoes without a motor.
A boat title or a manufacturer's statement of origin must be shown to obtain a decal. Insurance is not required. Boats can be registered from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at county Tax Collector's offices.
Anyone 21 or younger operating a boat of 10 horsepower or more must obtain a boating safety ID card, which involves completing a safety course, www.myfwc.com
Florida law requires boaters to have U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, which should be properly stored and in serviceable condition.
Boats under 16 feet long must have one personal flotation device of any type for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet or longer must have one wearable personal flotation device -- an offshore life jacket, near-shore buoyant vest, flotation aid or special-use device (depending on the activity) -- for each person on board. Life jackets must be worn while operating. Boats 16 feet or longer also must have at least one throwable device.
Contact your closest United States Power Squadron or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at www.uscgaux.org (District 070).
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, South Brevard Flotilla 42: Meets at 7:30 p.m. second Wednesdays, Sal Martinez Boating Education Building, Pollak Park, 1455 Main St. N.E., Palm Bay, boating skills and seamanship classes offered twice a year and American Boating Course offered fourth Saturdays except December, 321-254-0540.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Central Brevard Flotilla 46: Offers a boating safety course seven times a year, provides vessel safety checks and other boating-related training at Lee Wenner Park in Cocoa, presents a safe-boating class third Saturdays of every month (February through November), 321-453-7409.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 49: Offers boating-safety courses, safety checks and other programs in the Titusville area, 321-383-1318 or 321-268-8856.
Information also is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission office in Ocala at 352-732-1225. For rules and regulations: 850-488-4676, www.myfwc.com or www.wildlifelicense.com
For more information about Brevard County's fishing guides and charters: www.fishingspacecoast.org