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Barbara Ford-Coates - Florida Tax Collector serving Sarasota County
Exceptional Staff - Exceptional Service

Fishing Licenses

A freshwater or saltwater fishing license is required to fish even if you do not catch anything. A saltwater fishing license is also required to take any native or nonnative marine organisms, such as crabs, lobsters, and marine plants. Some exemptions do apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Commercial Licenses​
Before commercially harvesting or selling any marine fish or other saltwater products in Florida, you must be eligible for and comply with the license requirements. A saltwater product is defined as any marine fish, shellfish, clam, invertebrate, sponge, jellyfish, coral, crustacean, lobster, crab, shrimp, snail, marine plant, echinoderm, sea star, brittle star or urchin, etc.; except non-living shells and salted, cured, canned or smoked seafood. There are many other types of commercial licenses that are available if you qualify.