Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ TOPICS - 2
FISHING
REGULATIONS
Question
When do I need a fishing license for saltwater
or freshwater recreational fishing? Where would I get a license?
Answer
Some general information is listed below,
however to be sure you know current up-to-date regulations, the Florida
Wildlife Code 
is the final
authority on fishing laws. For your convenience you may order an instant fishing license
either by going to:
www2.wildlifelicense.com or
by calling toll free: 1-888-FISH FLORIDA (347-4356)
After reviewing the fishing regulations below, visit Brevard County Parks
and Recreation Fishing
Sites and Boat Ramps
LICENSES & REGULATIONS - Be sure to check for current revisions at floridafisheries.com/license.html
• Freshwater Recreational Fishing
• Freshwater Recreational Exemptions
• Saltwater Recreational Fishing
• Saltwater Recreational Exemptions
FRESHWATER Recreational Fishing License
SOME INFORMATION
For fees go to:
myfwc.com/license
For further information go to:
floridafisheries.com/rules
Licensing requirements follow the species of fish you are fishing for,
regardless of where you are fishing. For example, anglers
fishing for and possessing largemouth bass in brackish water
need a freshwater license; anglers fishing for saltwater
species in fresh water (e.g., spotted sea trout, red drum,
snook, or American shad) need a saltwater license to possess
these species if fishing from a boat.
FRESHWATER Recreational Fishing
SOME LICENSE EXEMPTIONS
For complete information go to:
floridafisheries.com/rules
-
Florida
residents 65 years of age or older who possess either a Resident
Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate or proof of
age and residency.
-
Georgia
residents 65 years fo age or older who have in their possession
a Georgia Honorary Combination Hunting and Fishing License
and proof of age.
-
Children under 16 years of age
-
Any
resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is
not stationed in Florida, home on leave for 30 days or less,
upon submission of orders.
-
Any resident
fishin in the county of his or her residence with live or
natural bait, using poles or hand lines that are not equipped
with a reel or other line retrieval mechanism (cane pole),
for noncommercial purposes.
-
Anyone
fishing in a private fishing pond less than 20 acres that
is entirely within the property lines of the owner with no
surface water connection to public waters.
-
Anyone
fishing during Free Fishing Weekend (usually the first weekend in April)
SALTWATER - Recreational
Fishing Regulations
SOME INFORMATION
For complete information go to:
myfwc.com/marine/regulation.htm
-
State waters extend to 3 nautical
miles on the Atlantic and 9 nautical
miles on the Gulf. Federal rules apply beyond state waters.
For species that do not have an established bag limit, more
than 100 pounds or 2 fish per person per day (whichever is
greater), is considered commercial
quantities. A saltwater products license and commercial vessel
registration is required to harvest commercial quantities of
unregulated species. The failure to include complete laws, rules, and regulations in
this summary does not relieve persons from abiding by those
laws, rules, or regulations.
-
Regulations are by species, minimum
size limit, closed season where applicable, daily recreational
bag limit, and other restrictions as listed:
myfwc.com/marine/lines.htm
SALTWATER - Recreational
Fishing
SOME LICENSE EXEMPTIONS
For complete information go to:marinefisheries.org/license.htm
For Fees go to: floridaconservation.org/license
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GUN RANGE - RIFLE & PISTOL
Question
Is there a public gun range for rifle and pistol target practice?
Answer
Yes, there is a gun range west of Titusville and Mims managed by the Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc. It is located south of State Road 46 off of Hatbill Road.
From I-95 go 4 miles west on SR 46, then go south on Hatbill Road ½ mile to where pavement ends, turn left into the gun range.
Information: 321-268-1312.
HORSEBACK RIDING IN PARKS
Question
Are there horse trails in any of the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department
parks and sanctuaries, and does the Parks and Recreation Department have horses for rent for trail
riding?
Answer
Yes, there are horse trails in designated parks and sanctuaries
managed by the Department, but the Department does not rent horses.
Parks and sanctuaries with horseback riding trails include:
More information on EEL conservation
areas and sanctuaries in the EEL Program Sanctuary
Recreation Guide.
Equestrian sites are also elements of Referendum
Projects for proposed development in North Brevard and
Palm Bay Regional Park in South Brevard.
Horse rental services are listed on local business web directories (such listings may not be complete).
Visit our Equestrian web page for more information.
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PADDLING
Question
Is there a paddling club in Brevard County?
Answer
Yes, the Space Coast Paddlers is a nonprofit club organized in
the early 1990s. The Club meets the third Wednesday of every
month at the Eau Gallie Public Library on Pineapple Avenue just north of
Eau Gallie Boulevard and east of US Hwy 1 in Melbourne.
New members are welcome!
Contact Information:
Space Coast Paddlers
P.O. Box 360193 Melbourne, FL 32936
commodore@spacecoastpaddlers.org
Additionally, Oars and Paddles Park is popular for non-motorized
recreational activities including canoeing, rowing, and paddling and is the Home of the Space Coast Crew Rowing Club and
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PARK HOURS
Question
When are the parks, athletic facilities and boat ramps open?
Answer
Unless designated otherwise, Brevard County Parks open after 7:00
a.m. and close at dark.
Parks with Community
Centers and Athletic Facilities are open after dark for scheduled
activities. Operating hours for Community Centers and Nature Centers
may be obtained by contacting the specific facility.
Boat Ramps are open 24 hours a day.
For further information or for reservations for events at Brevard County parks,
call the related Parks Operations Office.
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PICNICS
& EVENTS IN THE PARKS
Question
Our group is planning a festive event and picnic, what are the guidelines
we need to know to schedule our event in a Brevard County Park?
Answer
General details on facility rentals and event planning are available
by clicking here.
For specific guidance about the park you would like to hold your
event at, contact the Area Office that manages the park in question.
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MODEL AIRPLANE FIELD
Question
Is there a model airplane field at a County facility?
Answer
Yes, there's a model airplane field at Space Coast Communities Sports Complex south of Titusville in Sharpes. Call the North Area Parks Operations Office for details: 321-264-5105.
For activity information contact:
.
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MODEL RAILROAD
Question
Is there a model railroad organization at a County facility?
Answer
Yes, the Titusville Area Model Railroad Club, Inc. meets at the Gibson Community Complex at
835 Sycamore Street, Building K-15 in Titusville. It is located at the southwest corner of Gibson Community Complex, access is from west entrance. Information: Bill Gillespie, 321-269-0723.
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REFERENDUM
PROJECTS
Question
Where can I find information about park projects funded by the Referendums
that were approved
by voters in the November 2000 and 2006 elections
for North Brevard, Merritt Island, and South Brevard ?
Answer
Project budgets, news updates, Committee Meeting dates, and Committee
Member lists are posted at our Parks Referendum Projects web site.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Question
What kind of opportunities are there for individuals, clubs, or
groups to volunteer their services or skills within the Parks and
Recreation Department?
Answer
Volunteerism is itself a recreational pursuit. In fact, the history of recreation
and parks in Brevard County is founded on programs organized by
volunteers, and is today the result of coordinated efforts of staff
along with groups and individuals who have contributed considerable
time and resources.
Opportunities range from athletic
coaches, golf course docents, special event support—to the
memorial tree program, and support services for nature centers and
endangered lands sanctuaries. Contact the associated Operations
office for more information:
Athletic Leagues
See Recreation Partner Listing
Campgrounds
manateehammock@brevardparks.com
wickhampark@brevardparks.com
longpoint@brevardparks.com
Environmentally Endangered Lands Program
Volunteer
Information Online
eelvolunteer@brevardparks.com
Golf Courses
savannahs@brevardparks.com
spessardholland@brevardparks.com
habitat@brevardparks.com
Nature Centers and Special Events
northarea@brevardparks.com
centralarea@brevardparks.com
or mibeaches@brevardparks.com
southarea@brevardparks.com
Teen Programs and Special Events
youth@brevardparks.com
skatepark@brevardparks.com
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WEDDINGS IN PARKS
Question
We are planning our wedding and are interested in having
it in a park. Can you tell us which parks we would be able to have
a ceremony at?
Answer
First, since we have over a hundred parks located countywide, it
would be good to narrow down what type of site you prefer. Parks
are listed at our web site by Area: North, Central Mainland,
Central Merritt Island/Beaches, South Area. Each park has a
narrative describing facilities and some physical features that
may help you decide.
Some suggestions for selecting a park:
-
If most of your guests are in the Melbourne/Palm Bay
area, then South Area parks may be the place to start.
-
Or if you
prefer to be on the waterfront, then you could look at beach and
river parks.
-
Number of guests would be another consideration —
if you are having a hundred or more guests, then parks with large
pavilions and plenty of parking would be deciding factors.
For park listings go to:
www.brevardparks.com/parks
Listed below are some parks that have been used for weddings and receptions.
If you don't find one here, keep looking through the Area Parks
listings, there are other parks you may find suitable.
For more information
about any of these parks and to reserve a meeting room or pavilion,
you can call the appropriate Area Office at the number indicated
(except for a few facilities such as Veterans Memorial Park in Merritt Island, and Gibson Complex in Titusville, where the number to call is specifically
listed). You can also review Park Ordinances and download a Facility
Use Permit online on the following web page:
www.brevardparks.com/facility
NORTH AREA
— 321-264-5105
- Cuyler Park Community Center
- Fay Lake Wilderness Park (lakefront, pavilion)
- Fox Lake Park (large pavilion)
- Port St. John Community Center
- Sand Point Park (riverfront, pavilion)
- Tom Statham Park (river - has meeting room that can be rented)
CENTRAL AREA - Mainland
321-633-1874
- F. Burton Smith Regional Park (small lake - large pavilion &
lots of parking)
- Taylor Park Rockledge (landscaped, pavilion)
CENTRAL AREA - MI/BEACHES
321-455-1380
- Cherie Down (beach)
- Kiwanis Island Park (riverfront - large pavilion & lots of parking)
- Lori Wilson (beach, pavilion)
- Osteen Park (riverfront, pavilion)
- Rotary Park - Merritt Island (pavilion)
- Woody Simpson Park Community Center
- Veterans Memorial (riverfront boardwalk attached to nice meeting
room, lots of parking—For activity and facility rental information,
contact the Brevard Veterans Council at 453-1776)
SOUTH AREA — 321-255-4400
- Fisherman’s Landing (riverfront, pavilion)
- Lake Washington Park (lakefront, pavilion)
- Melbourne Riverview Park (river, pavilion)
- Pineda Landing POW/MIA Community Center
- Rotary Park at Suntree (riverfront - parking limited)
- South Mainland Community Center - Micco
- Spessard Holland Beach Parks
- Wickham Park (pavilions, lots of parking)
- Viera Regional Park Community Center
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WHEEL CHAIR BEACH ACCESS
Question
We have a wheel chair bound family member who would like
to join us at the beach. Is there a beach park where we can access
the beach with a wheel chair?
Answer
Their are crossovers at the following Brevard County beach parks
that accommodate wheel chair access to the beach:
- Lori Wilson Park
in Cocoa Beach
- Canova Beach Park
- Howard E. Futch Memorial
- Spessard
Holland Beach Park-South
- Coconut Point Park
Bonsteel Park
You can also check our Universal Access page for other accessible park amenities.
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