Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Florida
State, United States. Authority : Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$79Resident 5-Year Freshwater Fishing
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 30.5 cmSuwannee, shoal, spotted and Choctaw bass
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 30.5 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
4-Strand PE Braid, Army Green, 300 mFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · spoon and spinner fishing
€27.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Finesse Soft Lures 12 cm, Pack of 15For : zander, walleye, european perch · soft plastic lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Not published by the authority: check with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee, shoal, spotted and Choctaw bass2 statewide; no minimum length for Florida/largemouth bass | 30.5 cm |
To check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 30.5 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (all species combined)2 only one may be 16 in or longer | 5 per day |
| Crappie (speckled perch)2 statewide | 25 per day |
| Striped, white and sunshine bass (combined)2 only 6 may be 24 in or longer; special limits Suwannee and lower Ochlockonee rivers | 20 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License1 | annual | US$17 |
| Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$17 |
| Resident 5-Year Freshwater Fishing1 | 5-year | US$79 |
| Resident Freshwater/Saltwater Combo1 | annual | US$32.50 |
| Youth Freshwater Fishing (optional, under 16)1 | annual | US$17 |
| Nonresident Annual Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$47 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing1 | 3-day | US$17 |
| Nonresident 7-Day Freshwater Fishing1 | 7-day | US$30 |
Buy the licence on gooutdoorsflorida.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- No license needed for children under 16 or Florida residents 65 or older (with proof); also residents cane-pole fishing in home county, on homestead, certified disabled, military on leave, and on License-Free Freshwater Fishing Days.
Good to know
Black bass: 5/day with only one ≥16 in, no minimum for largemouth. No new freshwater regulation changes for 2026-27. No trout, walleye or northern pike fisheries/regulations in Florida freshwater rules.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- myfwc.com blocks automated fetch (403): fees and limits read on the FWC 2026-27 freshwater guide published on eRegulations, not cross-checked on myfwc.com
- No 1-day license; no resident short-term license
- No trout season (no trout regulations in Florida freshwater guide)
- Walleye and northern pike: not regulated/present
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Kissimmee lake, Osceola County View on the map
- Lake Istokpoga lake, Highlands County View on the map
- Lake Tohopekaliga lake, Osceola County View on the map
- East Lake Tohopekaliga lake, Osceola County View on the map
- Lake Griffin lake, Lake County View on the map
- Orange Lake lake, Alachua County View on the map
- Blue Cypress lake, Indian River County View on the map
- Newnans Lake lake, Alachua County View on the map
- Lake Lochloosa lake, Alachua County View on the map
- Lake Marian lake, Osceola County View on the map
- Lake Panasoffkee lake, Sumter County View on the map
- Lake Tarpon lake, Pinellas County View on the map
- Lake Seminole lake, Pinellas County View on the map
- Merritts Mill Pond pond, Jackson County View on the map
- Tenoroc pond, Polk County View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Florida in 2026?
The “Resident 5-Year Freshwater Fishing” licence costs US$79 (5-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in Florida?
Largemouth bass: 30.5 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations 2026-27 – Licenses (FWC guide on eRegulations) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations 2026-27 – Bag & Length Limits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Florida Freshwater Fishing Guide 2026-27 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- FWC Freshwater Fishing License (403 to automated fetch) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.