Commercial Fishing

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is charged with maintaining and enhancing fisheries resources within the Commonwealth and bordering waters. As part of this mission, the Department regulates commercial fishing of various species. A variety of commercial permits are available.

Permit	Season	Price	Form
Resident Commercial Fishing License with 10 gear tags	March 1 through last day of February	$150.00 (Additional Resident Gear Tags can be purchased in blocks of 10 for $15.00)	Commercial Fishing License Application Form
Non-Resident Commercial Fishing License with 10 gear tags	March 1 through last day of February	$600.00 (Additional Non-Resident Gear Tags can be purchased in blocks of 10 for $100.00)	Commercial Fishing License Application Form
Resident Roe-Bearing Fish Buyer Permit	October 15 through June 5	$500.00	Roe-bearing Fish Buyer Permit Application Form
Non-Resident Roe-Bearing Fish Buyer Permit	October 15 through June 5	$1000.00	Roe-Bearing Fish Buyer Permit Application Form
Resident Roe-Bearing Fish Harvester Permit	October 15 through May 31	$500.00	Roe-Bearing Fish Harvester Permit Application Form
Non-Resident Roe-Bearing Fish Harvester Permit	October 15 through May 31	$1500.00	Roe-Bearing Fish Harvester Permit Application Form
Resident Special Net Fishery Permit (For Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake only)	November 1 through March 31	$600.00	Special Net Fishery Permit Application Form
Non-Resident Special Net Fishery Permit (For Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake only)	November 1 through March 31	$900.00	Special Net Fishery Permit Application Form
Tier I Resident Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program permit (NOT YET ACTIVE)	March 1 through last day of February	$800.00	Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program Permit Application
Tier I Non-Resident Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program permit (NOT YET ACTIVE)	March 1 through last day of February	$1,600.00	Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program Permit Application
Tier II Resident Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program permit (NOT YET ACTIVE)	March 1 through last day of February	$1,200.00	Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program Permit Application
Tier II Non-Resident Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program permit (NOT YET ACTIVE)	March 1 through last day of February	$2,400.00	Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program Permit Application

Kentucky also has special regulations for the transport, propagation and sale of live fish/live bait.

Permit	Season	Price	Form
Live Fish Transportation Permit	Valid for one (1) year from the date of issue	$25.00	Live Fish Transportation Permit Application Form
Fisheries Propagation Permit	January 1 through December 31	$50.00	Fish Propagation Permit Application Form
Live Bait and Fish Dealer's license	January 1 through December 31	$50/R, $150/NR	Live Bait and Fish Dealer's License Application Form

Commercial Fishing

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