Jacob Ogles
Keep Florida Fishing drew attention to final day of the year anglers can catch without a license.
Nov. 30 will be the last of eight days the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows license-free saltwater fishing.
“License-free fishing days are one of the best ways for people to discover why Florida is the ‘Fishing Capital of the World,’” said Kellie Ralston, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director of the American Sportfishing Association.
“With 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline throughout the Sunshine State, we encourage residents and non-residents alike to enjoy a day on the water in honor of the last license-free saltwater fishing day of the year.”
Keep Florida Fishing, lobbying arm for the ASA, has promoted license-free days throughout the year, including two weekends when freshwater fishing was opened to all anglers and eight days when the same was done on saltwater.
“Let’s celebrate the final license-free saltwater fishing day of 2019 by renewing our commitment to clean waters, abundant fisheries, and access to both,” said Gary Jennings, director of Keep Florida Fishing.
“We thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this special opportunity for Florida’s more than four million anglers to get out and experience our state’s natural resources. We encourage everyone to enjoy a day fishing Florida’s coastal waters.”
Licenses are normally required for catching crab, lobster, spiny lobster, scallops and snook but all license fees are waived for the day.
Fish and Wildlife Commission officials stressed that while fisherman can hit the water without a license on Nov. 30, all other rules and regulations apply.
The includes recognizing it’s still closed season on red snapper, gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, Goliath grouper, Nassau grouper and red drum.
About 4 million licenses get issued for Florida fishing each year, according to Keep Florida Fishing, and the sport generates $11.5 billion in economic activity each year.
