FWC brings back online sales for non-resident, short-term fishing licenses ahead of holiday weekend

Short-term online fishing licenses to return

Non-Florida residents can once again purchase three and seven-day saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses online after a six-month pause. FOX 13's Danielle Zulkosky reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Non-Florida residents can once again purchase three and seven-day saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses online after a six-month pause.

Florida fishing rule changes

What we know:

Beginning May 21 at 5 p.m., non-residents can purchase the licenses at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and at more than 700 physical locations statewide, including Walmart, sporting goods stores, local bait-and-tackle shops, and 220 tax collector offices.

The FWC has resumed online sales for short-term, non-resident fishing licenses. 

Not only will online license purchases be available in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but also for the start of the Atlantic and Gulf recreational Red Snapper seasons.

The FWC says revenue from the license sales supports habitat restoration, fisheries research, and improvements to boating access.

Online sales reversal details

The backstory:

In November 2025, the FWC said it removed the 3-day and 7-day licenses from online sales to keep online purchasing "simple and streamlined" for the annual license, the most commonly purchased.

This meant that non-Florida residents had to go to a specific tax collector’s office, select Walmart stores or certain bait and tackle shops.

Captain Dylan Hubbard, owner of Hubbard’s Marina in Madeira Beach and president of the Florida Guides Association, said the sudden change is already impacting guides across the state.

"You got to get 30 minutes out of your way to one of these licensed retailers," Hubbard said. "And so, people just look at you flabbergasted that they can't buy it online anymore, and they get really upset."

He argued that the rule was a major tourism deterrent and launched a Change.org petition to bring back the online option.

"It's been hurting tourism from that aspect that people are just getting angry," Hubbard said. "They're fishing illegally without a license, which a lot of people do because it's a lot easier than going to the DMV or paying $70 for an annual license."

FWC funding concerns

Dig deeper:

Hubbard believes these changes have likely come as the FWC looks for a way to increase profits after the state sold licenses at a reduced rate.

"It's great for residents to be able to get these cheaper licenses, but what it does is it absolutely guts the FWC’s funding," Hubbard said. "So, a couple years of license sale(s) has now gutted the funding."

Hubbard acknowledges that the FWC needs the fees to help conservation, but said bringing back the tourist licenses online was the way to go.

"There's a lot of good things that FWC does. They have incredible biologists that work really hard on collecting great science. We have really hard-working enforcement people," Hubbard said.

State officials on decision

What they're saying:

The FWC issued a statement on Wednesday saying, "We are grateful for the support and engagement of members of the Florida Legislature, FWC Commissioners and stakeholders as we continue working to identify sustainable, long-term funding solutions for Florida’s fisheries and conservation programs, which is critical to supporting fisheries management, habitat conservation, public access, and enforcement efforts that protect Florida’s natural resources."