Florida restores short-term fishing licenses online ahead of Red Snapper season

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK) — Florida has restored the option to purchase 3-day and 7-day nonresident saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses online, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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The move comes days after WINK News first reported on the changes, which raised concerns among captains about the impact on tourists and visitors.

The licenses will become available for purchase at 5 p.m. on Thursday at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and at more than 700 physical locations statewide, including Walmart, sporting goods stores, local bait-and-tackle shops and 220 tax collector offices. The restoration coincides with the opening of both Atlantic and Gulf recreational Red Snapper seasons.

The FWC said the temporary removal of the 3-day and 7-day licenses from online sales was intended to keep online purchasing simple and streamlined for the most commonly purchased license, the annual license, while supporting Florida's fisheries through license revenue that directly funds conservation and management programs.

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