Do I need a fishing license for canals?

Yes, Florida residents and visitors need a fishing license to fish in canals, ponds, and lakes if they intend to catch or release fish. The type of license required depends on whether the fish are in freshwater or saltwater. For example, if you’re fishing for largemouth bass in brackish water that may also contain saltwater species, you’ll need a freshwater license. If you catch a redfish in that area, you can release it and continue fishing.

A license is required to attempt to take fish. If you cast a line or catch and release, you need a fishing license.

Before you go fishing, you must ascertain whether the water is freshwater or brackish. This is because you can only keep saltwater fish if they still meet the regulations, if any, if you are freshwater fishing and you purchase a saltwater fishing license. This is because you can only keep saltwater fish if you plan to use them. Having said that, because largemouth bass are freshwater fish, you will not be able to keep one if you catch one while using a saltwater license. You could take a snook, though, only if it satisfies the legal requirements and is in season, if you catch one and your fishing license permits you to keep snook and snook are in season.

You can purhase a fishing license in Florida at some places like;

Walmart

There are some Walmart locations in Florida that have a tablet-like kiosk in the sporting goods section where you can register with the Go Outdoors Florida website. After selecting a license, the kiosk will probably ask you for some personal information, such as your date of birth, social security number, email address, and preferred method of payment. With the Fish | Hunt FL App, which you might be able to get on the Google Play Store or Apple Store, you will be able to sync your Walmart-purchased fishing license and log in.

Bass Pro Shop

You can probably also get a fishing license from the Bass Pro Shop Sporting Goodies section. You may even be able to sign up right there at the customer service counter.

Online at Go Outdoors Florida

Bait & Tackle Shops

Some bait & tackle shops might be able to get you a fishing license. I can tell you that I have never bought one from a bait and tackle shop, so I’m not sure if they still have connections with Go Outdoors Florida.