Pay lakes in Florida

It depends. No freshwater license is needed to fish a private pond of 20 acres or less lying entirely on the owner's property, or a larger pond holding an FWC Private Fish Pond License; otherwise a Florida freshwater fishing license is required.

Florida licenses pay lakes through its FWC Private Fish Pond License (F.S. 379.356) for ponds over 20 acres; FDACS Aquaculture Certificate of Registration (F.S. 597.004) for fish farms incl. fee fishing operations, run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Aquaculture. The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.

"Any person freshwater fishing in a fish pond of 20 acres or less that is located entirely within the private property of the fish pond owner. ... Any person freshwater fishing in a fish pond that is licensed in accordance with s. 379.356."

Source: Florida Statutes § 379.353(2)(e)-(f), Recreational licenses and permits; exemptions from fees and requirements. FWC defines a fish pond as 'a man-made pond constructed for the primary purpose of fishing, entirely within the property lines of the owner and with no surface water connection to public waters' (https://myfwc.com/license/freshwater/private-fish-pond)., checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.