Skip to main content
Barbara Ford-Coates - Florida Tax Collector serving Sarasota County
Exceptional Staff - Exceptional Service
Offices will be closed Dec. 23, 24 and 25 in observance of the holiday.

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

Please click below for specific information:

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.