[WiseSpender]

Has anybody ever seen FWC(Florida Wildlife Conservation) Officers inside the Villages checking up on fishing licenses?

Next question, does local law enforcement have the authority to check up on fishing licenses or would they leave that under the purview of FWC Officers?

[Babbs1957]

Well it's only $17.00 and the money goes towards the protection of all wildlife.

[MikeVillages]

It is my understanding that seniors living in Florida do not need fishing license. You can check at Walmart where they dispense fishing license. There may be a difference between freshwater and saltwater fishing.

[Topspinmo]

Quote from Google

“age 65 or older
Florida residents age 65 or older only need a Florida Driver License or Identification Card to prove residency and age. They are not required to purchase the following recreational licenses and permits: Saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing and hunting licenses.”


Some Village’s retention ponds sometimes go dry or get drained from ground collapse. So, just cause you see pond that accessible don’t mean there catching size fish? Some will get restocked through underground transfer piping from other pond that have fish Remember you can’t cross private property to pond. Golf course ponds are considered private unless it has street access and don’t have no fishing sign. Naturally all ponds are catch and release. If you see lot of fish eating birds then most likely it has catchable size fish?

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Quote from Google

“age 65 or older
Florida residents age 65 or older only need a Florida Driver License or Identification Card to prove residency and age. They are not required to purchase the following recreational licenses and permits: Saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing and hunting licenses.”

Good information, but one key question. What constitutes a Florida residency? Does owning a home and paying more property taxes because you don’t have a homestead exemption qualify, or do you have to be a full timer that is registered to vote and file federal income taxes in Florida. Does a Villages ID prove residency?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Good information, but one key question. What constitutes a Florida residency? Does owning a home and paying more property taxes because you don’t have a homestead exemption qualify, or do you have to be a full timer that is registered to vote and file federal income taxes in Florida. Does a Villages ID prove residency?

I imagine village ID only good for in bubble? Probably worthless anywhere else?


I would be guessing but if have nothing else Florida driver’s license which establishes address?

[biggamefish1]

The original question makes you sound guilty already? To be a legal resident, your primary residence must be registered in Florida. If you don't meet these two primary requirements, just get a license. Then read up on the rules of fishing in the Villages, when and where it is legal to get a line wet!

[USOTR]

You have a Florida drivers license is all the officer will be looking for.

Any LEO can enforce this law, not just the FWC.

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by Babbs1957

Well it's only $17.00 and the money goes towards the protection of all wildlife.

Irrelevant to the questions asked. You can just buy two and then all is well, right?

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Good information, but one key question. What constitutes a Florida residency? Does owning a home and paying more property taxes because you don’t have a homestead exemption qualify, or do you have to be a full timer that is registered to vote and file federal income taxes in Florida. Does a Villages ID prove residency?

According to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

What qualifies as Florida residency?

Residency
For the purposes of fishing or hunting in Florida, a resident is defined as:
Any person who has declared Florida as his or her only state of residence as evidenced by a valid Florida driver license or identification card with both a Florida address and a Florida residency verified by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
Active duty United States military personnel stationed in Florida, including spouses and dependent children residing in the household, with military orders.
Acceptable Proofs of Florida Residency:
Primary proof:

Florida Driver License or ID Card (with Florida address and residency verified by the Florida DHSMV)
Florida Military Orders (active-duty United States military personnel and their immediate family members also stationed here)
Alternate proof (may be used only by Florida residents who do not have a Florida Driver License or ID Card):

Current Florida voter registration information card
Declaration of domicile (may be obtained from county clerk’s office)
Florida homestead exemption
NOTE: Landlord certification is no longer accepted as an alternate proof of residency.
For youths under the age of 18,...

[MikePgh]

Remember if there is enough water for fish there is enough water for gators.

[Marine1974]

Originally Posted by WiseSpender

Has anybody ever seen FWC(Florida Wildlife Conservation) Officers inside the Villages checking up on fishing licenses?

Next question, does local law enforcement have the authority to check up on fishing licenses or would they leave that under the purview of FWC Officers?

For a non Florida resident the cost of a 1 year adult fresh water fishing license is $54 . It helps the Florida wildlife and fish conservation to purchase. Hope you catch and release . There is a hefty fine if your caught fishing without a license if your a non resident.

[RoadToad]

I have fished most of the eligible Villages ponds.
Have never had a nibble.
You?

[MrFlorida]

Over 65 and a Florida resident, no license required for hunting or fishing...I have seen FWC in the Villages.
Florida DL or other state approved ID also required. Any law enforcement can check for a license...Hope this clears things up.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Good information, but one key question. What constitutes a Florida residency? Does owning a home and paying more property taxes because you don’t have a homestead exemption qualify, or do you have to be a full timer that is registered to vote and file federal income taxes in Florida. Does a Villages ID prove residency?

There's a difference between "residency" and "ownership." In order to have residency in a place, you have to reside in the place. If someone else owns the property, but you're the resident, and the owner doesn't live in the place, then the tenant has the residency, and the owner does not.

A resident, by definition, is someone who actually lives there. Residents don't have to be owners.