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There is no Federal law about anchoring in State waters. The USA law is based on State's Rights and the Fed's can only override if it impinges on Interstate Commerce. The States own the "mud" under their waters, not the Fed's (at least the original 13 States since they were formed before the USA was formed). Since your anchor is "in the State's mud you are subject to the State laws and regulations.
- - That said, the State of Florida likes the money and taxes it gets from "cruising boats" and does not want to lose or chase them away. The local communities have a different idea and are always trying to chase away any boats their local voters find visually or otherwise offensive. The local communities want to satisfy their local voters and tax payers.
- - So the battle is between the State and the locals, but since the State owns the mud, the locals can only harass you and try to intimidate you to move if the State of Florida says you can anchor there.
- - Bottom line, anchor in areas, usually shown or marked on the excellent ICW guides and strip maps - and try to avoid anchoring in front of areas with fancy or otherwise condo's or private housing. Usually the presence of other anchored boats is a good indication of an acceptable area to anchor. As others have stated there are plenty of great and convenient places to anchor in most of Florida. In the southern portion it is more difficult to find places as the ICW gets rather narrow and "side creeks" are rare and often too shallow.
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