TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida Gov. Rick Scott is waiving fishing license requirements for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
The governor and state wildlife officials have declared Friday, Nov. 29 a license-free freshwater fishing day and Saturday, Nov. 30 a license-free saltwater fishing day.
Scott said the waivers will give Floridians and their guests a chance to enjoy some of the best fishing in the world.
Each year, the state authorizes eight license-free fishing days to help grow the fishing industry and promote conservation stewardship. Beginning in 2014, all of the sanctioned fishing days will fall on the same weekend days from year to year.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state’s recreational fishing industry supports nearly 80,000 jobs and has an $8.9 billion economic impact.