Hunting & Fishing

The Tax Collector serves as an agent of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In this capacity, the Tax Collector is responsible for the sale of a variety of hunting and fishing permits. It is the Tax Collectors' duty to collect all monies from these sales and maintain the records associated with these transactions.

Hunting and Fishing licenses may be obtained at the Tax Collectors' Office or at various sport stores, bait and tackle shops, and retail stores, as designated by the Tax Collector.
View list of participating stores in LaBelle.

All citizens who intend to hunt or fish in Florida require a valid license. The only exceptions to the law are:

1. Residents 65 years of age and over are entitled to a complimentary Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate
2. Children under the age of 16 are not required to have a license, however they must carry proof of age identification.
3. Permanently and totally disabled residents can obtain a special exemption card. An authorized disability statement must be presented upon application. This permit is free. Application
4. Residents who have been accepted by The Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services as a client for retardation and development services are exempt from the license requirements. .
5. A Florida resident who is a member of the U.S. armed forces and is not stationed in Florida is exempt from the license requirements while home on leave for 30 days or less. Proof of orders must be on the person while hunting or fishing.

Hunting and Freshwater Fishing

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulate hunting and freshwater fishing in the State of Florida. This agency sets and enforces policies and initiates environmental conservation programs to protect Florida wildlife. In addition, this state office determines license fees, which are set by the Florida Legislature.

Hunting licenses are annual permits valid 12 months from the date of issuance. A five-year hunting and fishing license, and a lifetime hunting license is also available to Florida residents. Non-residents can apply for a 10 day hunting permit.

Freshwater fishing licenses are valid 12 months from the date of issuance. A five-year freshwater fishing license and a lifetime freshwater fishing license are also available to Florida residents. Non-residents can apply for a seven-day permit.

The "Cane Pole Law" allows Florida residents to fish in the county of his/her residency without a license. The angler can use live or natural bait and poles or hand lines that are not equipped with a reel, for non-commercial purposes only. No fishing license is required to fish in a private fishing pond.

Saltwater Fishing

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the administrative office that regulates saltwater fishing. The Florida Marine Patrol is the law enforcement agency that is charged with protecting the valuable marine resources of the State of Florida.

All anglers, who fish in saltwater, require a saltwater fishing license. This includes each person fishing from a pleasure craft, on a sandbar, or any other land mass accessible by boat or by swimming through water deeper that four feet.

Underwater divers who take or attempt to take marine fish must also obtain a license. Anyone who operates a non-commercial fishing vessel for hire must purchase a saltwater license. This recreational license will exempt passengers from having to obtain individual licenses.

Other Exemptions:

You don't have to obtain a salt water fishing license if:

1. You are a Florida resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to land.
2. You are fishing from a pier which has been issued a pier saltwater license.
3. Anyone who holds valid commercial saltwater products licenses other than the owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel for which a saltwater fishing license is required. Only one person aboard a vessel to which a commercial saltwater products license has been issued may claim exemption at any given time.

Saltwater fishing licenses are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. A five-year saltwater fishing license and a lifetime license are also available to Florida residents. Non-residents can apply for a 3 day or 7 day permit for saltwater fishing.

2 Day Sport Season

Lobster Season - two day mini season.

License Types

Florida Resident Sportsman's License

The Florida Sportsman's License satisfies all state requirements for recreational hunting and freshwater fishing for Florida residents. The Florida Sportsman's License does not include permits for Resident Trapping License, Federal Waterfowl Stamps, Resident Commercial License or Resident Fish Dealers license. This permit is valid 12 months from the date of issuance. A five-year license is also available.

Lifetime Sportsman's License

For the avid sportsman who wants the convenience of securing permits for all hunting and fishing activities offered in Florida, for a one time fee, a Lifetime Sportsman's License is available. This permit includes hunting, turkey, Florida waterfowl, snook, and crawfish stamps. This unique license remains valid if the purchaser moves out of state.

Miscellaneous Licenses

The Tax Collector's Office also sells:

• Non-resident hunting and fishing licenses
• Archery and muzzle-loading permits
• State duck stamps and florida waterfowl stamps
• Management area stamp
• Snook and crawfish permits
• Turkey permits

Hunting and Fishing Price List

(Includes tax collector fees)

Expiration Dates of Licenses and Permits

All licenses and permits expire 12 months from the begining date except the following:

The customer may specify a future beginning date not to exceed 60 Days from the date of issuance.