Haul Seine Permits

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Freshwater Fisheries Division issues a limited number of haul seine permits to licensed commercial freshwater fishermen under the authority of the Florida Wildlife Code rule 68A-23.003(9) and 68A-23.012.

Haul seines are limited to Polk County and Lake Okeechobee.

The Haul Seine Gear Permit authorizes the holder of a commercial fishing license and a haul seine permit to use a haul seine net in Lake Okeechobee and specific freshwater lakes in Polk County. Permits may not be available at this time.  Check with a regional fisheries administrator before applying for this license. 

POLK COUNTY - SOUTHWEST REGION HAUL SEINE FISHERY

Please note that the Haul Seine fishery for Polk County is limited entry with only 5 permits available. Applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the next available permit

To get on the waiting list to apply for a haul seine permit in Polk County please contact:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Southwest Region, Regional Fisheries
3900 Drane Field Road
Lakeland, FL 33811-1207
Phone: (863) 648-3200
or email the Southwest Region, Regional Fisheries Administrator

OKEECHOBEE HAUL SEINE FISHERY

Please note that the Haul Seine fishery for Lake Okeechobee is limited entry with only 10 permits available. Applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the next available permit.

To get on the waiting list to apply for a haul seine permit in Lake Okeechobee please contact:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division of Freshwater Fisheries
3991 SE 27th Court
Okeechobee, FL 34974
Phone: (561) 625-5122
or email the Lake Okeechobee Fisheries Administrator

A game fish tag must be affixed to any "wild caught" gamefish (bluegill, redear, warmouth) taken from Lake Okeechobee and sold for consumption. Tags are sold in lots of 5,000 (5 cents each). Only permitted Lake Oceechobee haul seiners with an active Tagging Agreement (Contract) can purchase these tags.