Special Licenses
Fish, Wildlife and Marine Special Licenses and Permits
The Special Licenses Unit provides an efficient, effective and equitable way to meet Legislative and Departmental mandates governing "special uses" of the fish and wildlife resource. The Unit strives to achieve maximum user opportunity compatible with the intent and purpose of the mandates and the welfare of fish and wildlife resources. We are responsible for the distribution of applications for special licenses and the review and issuance of these licenses.
Fisheries Related Special Permits and Licenses
Many fisheries activities beyond everyday angling, or collection of bait for personal use with a small net, require a special license or permit. These activities include commercial harvest of fish or bait, intensive management of ponds for fish production, stocking of fish and fish eggs, and the possession of some highly regulated species of fish.
Routine freshwater fisheries licenses and permits are issued through DEC Regional Offices. These include licenses to take (or sell) bait fish and aquatic insects, Fish Stocking Permits, Triploid Grass Carp Permits, Piranha Permits, and Farm Fish Pond Licenses. Contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Manager for the location where the regulated activity will be taking place.
Inland Commercial Fishing Licenses, Fishing Preserve Licenses, and Lake Sturgeon Licenses are issued by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources Special License Unit.
Fish Hatchery Permits for raising and selling black bass, trout, or salmon are issued by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, Bureau of Fisheries.
Special Licenses Unit Important Information and Dates
Access Permits and Regulations for Suffolk County
Special License Unit Issued Licenses and Permits
New Carcass Tagging Procedure: The $0.05 metal tags currently supplied by DEC will be replaced with a paper carcass tag form in order to improve the efficiency of the carcass tagging procedures specified in the current license conditions for the following: Domestic Game Animal Breeder, Class A License; Domestic Game Bird Breeder, Class A License; Field Trial Propagated Game License; Fishing Preserve License; or Shooting Preserve Licenses.
Licensees may continue to use the existing metal tags in their inventories. Once all metal tags have been used, then licensees must use the new carcass tag form. The carcass tag form and further details can be found by clicking on the appropriate license link below.
- Bird Breeder License
- Black Bear Tracking Dog License
- Commercial Fishing License
- Crocodilian Permit
- Crocodilian Registration Permit
- Dangerous Wildlife License
- Dead Endangered Species
- Depredation Permit for Migratory Birds
- Domestic Game Animal Breeder License
- Domestic Game Bird Breeder License
- Endangered/Threatened Species License
- Falconry License
- Field Trial License
- Fishing Preserve License
- Fur Breeder License
- Lake Sturgeon License
- Leashed Tracking Dog License
- License to Collect or Possess
- License to Liberate Fish and Wildlife
- License to Possess and Sell
- Modified Longbow Authorization
- Modified Crossbow Permit
- Non Ambulatory Hunter Permit
- Nuisance Wildlife Control License
- Sale of Wild Birds
- Shooting Preserve License
- Wildlife Rehabilitator License
