Fishing on Anna Maria Island in 2026
Anna Maria Island fishing comes in two forms: from a pier or the shore, and from a boat with a charter. In both cases you need to sort out the license first. A Florida saltwater license for nonresidents costs $17 for 3 days, $30 for 7 days or $47 for a year in 2026. The seller may add an issuing fee of $0.50, and other online fees are possible.
Visitors aged 16 and over need a license, and the rule applies to catch-and-release too, because even trying to catch a fish counts. Anyone under 16 is exempt. The free shoreline license is for Florida residents only and does not cover tourists, so do not assume you can fish for free.
Fishing charters and boat trips near Anna Maria Island
Fishing charters, boat trips and water activities around the island, with live prices and availability.
Fishing license for visitors: who needs what
Pier and charter licenses can cover you, but only when they are valid.
| Where you fish | What covers you | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pier or shore | Your own saltwater license, or a valid saltwater pier license held by the pier | A pier license applies only when that pier actually has a valid one. Ask before you cast. |
| Charter boat | The boat's valid charter license | Confirm at booking that passengers are covered |
| Private boat | Your own saltwater license | Some reef fish need a free State Reef Fish Angler designation |
For most visitors who fish from a pier, a 3-day or 7-day license is the simplest choice. If you join a charter whose license is valid, the charter handles it for you. Confirm that when you book.
Two extras can apply. A snook permit costs $10 per year on top of the license, where it is required. The State Reef Fish Angler designation costs $0 and applies to certain reef fish caught from a private boat by anglers aged 16 and over. Size limits and closed seasons depend on the species, so check the current Florida rules for the fish you target before you keep one.
Where to fish on the island
One pier works. Two others do not.
The Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach is the fishing pier to plan around. It is the preserved island section of the old wooden bridge, and it has public restrooms, a sales and supply area, a shaded pavilion and a floating day dock. Check the current hours and any fishing fee before you go.
The Anna Maria City Pier and the Rod and Reel Pier are not places to plan fishing. The City Pier has a new access walkway and work continues on the pier head, with November 2026 as the goal. The original Rod and Reel Pier was destroyed in 2024 and has no fixed rebuild date. The piers page explains the current state.
Fishing charters
The boat does the work, but ask the right questions.
A charter takes you off the island and onto the water with a captain. Charter prices differ by trip, so compare the offers in the tour cards above. When you book, ask four things: whether passengers are covered by the boat's license, how many hours the trip lasts, which gear is included and where the boat departs.
If you would rather watch than fish, a boat trip without a rod is an alternative. See dolphin tours and sunset cruises, or browse things to do for the rest of your day.
Before you cast a line
Short list for a first trip.
Buy the right license
Pick 3 days, 7 days or a year, and keep proof with you on the pier or boat.
Check the rules for your fish
Size limits and closed seasons are set per species and change. There is no single catch calendar for the whole island.
Respect wildlife
Do not feed pelicans, dolphins or any other wild animals, and keep hooks and line out of the water when birds come close.
Plan the weather
Wind and rain affect both boat trips and pier fishing. Check the weather page before you travel.
Fishing on Anna Maria Island: frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing license as a tourist?
Yes, from age 16. Nonresident saltwater licenses cost $17 for 3 days, $30 for 7 days and $47 for a year in 2026. Catch-and-release counts as fishing.
Can tourists use the free shoreline license?
No. The free shoreline license is for Florida residents only and does not apply to boat fishing or to a shore spot you reach by boat.
Do I need a license on a pier or a charter?
Not if the pier holds a valid saltwater pier license or the charter boat holds a valid charter license that covers you. Not every pier holds one, so ask before you cast.
Where can I fish near the island right now?
The Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach is the fishing pier to plan around. Do not plan on the Anna Maria City Pier or the Rod and Reel Pier for now.
Is there an extra permit for snook?
Where required, a snook permit costs $10 per year in addition to the license.
Are there size limits for the fish I catch?
Yes. Size limits and closed seasons are set per species and change, and there is no single catch calendar for the whole island. Check the current Florida rules for your target fish before you keep one.