Commercial fishing licenses are issued only by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Information about commercial saltwater fishing licenses is also available on this site. Before purchasing a license or permit, please make sure you understand what qualifies as Florida residency.
Fishing Licenses
Any person who takes freshwater fish or frogs by any lawful method prescribed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for purpose of sale is required to possess a Commercial Fishing License (resident or nonresident).
Holders of this license may sell to anyone but may not buy fish for the purpose of sale. A valid Resident Commercial Fishing License also allows recreational fishing.
A Commercial Fishing License is required even for use of trotlines of 25 hooks or less when fish are taken for purpose of sale.
Senior citizens are not exempt from purchase of commercial fishing licenses.
No freshwater Commercial Fishing License or Fish Dealer License is required to take or sell live bait, other than freshwater fish or frogs.
All boats engaged in commercial fishing shall have at least one commercial licensee on board.
RC-Resident Commercial Freshwater Fishing License (fish & frogs)
... 25.00
NCF-Nonresident Commercial Fishing License .............................. 100.00
Dealers Licenses
It is unlawful for licensed freshwater fish dealers or buyers to purchase freshwater fish or frogs from any unlicensed person.
A Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit is required in addition to these licenses to import certain live freshwater fish.
Resident Freshwater Fish Dealer's Licenses
The Resident Freshwater Fish Dealers License permits a resident to import, export, or sell freshwater fish or frogs, including live bait.
RFD-Resident Freshwater Fish & Frog Dealer's License .................. 40.00
Nonresident Freshwater Fish Dealer's Licenses:
Retail Dealers
The holder of a Nonresident Retail Fish Dealer License may buy freshwater fish from persons properly licensed to sell freshwater fish and may sell freshwater fish, including live bait, directly to a consumer. Nonresident license allows retails sales only--additional licenses required for wholesale dealers.
NRF - Nonresident Retail Fish or Frog Dealer's License ................. 100.00
Wholesale Dealers
The holder of a Nonresident Wholesale Fish Dealer License may buy freshwater fish for resale from persons properly licensed to sell freshwater fish and may sell fish within the state.
NW - Nonresident Wholesale Freshwater Fish Dealer's License ...... 500.00
The Nonresident Wholesale Fish Buyer License permits a nonresident, who does not sell freshwater fish or frogs in Florida, to buy freshwater fish or frogs from resident freshwater fish dealers for resale outside the state.
NWB - Nonresident Wholesale Fish Buyer's License ....................... 50.00
Aquaculture products:
Freshwater fish or frog farmers possessing an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration for fish and frogs, pursuant to s. 597.004, Florida Statutes, and selling their cultured freshwater fish or frogs or purchasing cultured freshwater fish or frogs from other certified aquaculturists do not have to possess a FWC freshwater fish and frog dealers license. Non-farmers selling cultured, imported or wild freshwater fish or frogs must have a FWC freshwater fish and frog dealers license.
Other Licenses & Permits:
Haul Seine Gear License
Private Fish Pond License
American Eel Permit
Conditonal/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit
Persons with Disabilities