Lobster Recreational Permit (Non Commercial)
Fee: $10.00
Age Requirement: Applicants 16 years old or under must have application signed and notarized by parent or legal guardian.
Permit Duration: Permit expires December 31st of each year.
How to Apply
- Complete the Lobster Recreational Permit Application (PDF)
- Be sure to sign and date on all required documents and include the permit fee.
- Submit the completed application by mail or in-person to:
NYSDEC Marine Permit Office, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY 11754
Annual Reporting
Complete the online Non-Commercial Lobster Survey to report your recreational lobster trips.
DEC uses this information to help understand the status of American lobster stocks in New York waters. Please note, reporting no catches during the permit year is still valuable information to report. Reference the map below for NOAA's Lobster Management Areas in New York.
Lobster Permit (Commercial)
This permit is limited to renewing applicants only. Applications for new applicants in the fishery are not accepted.
The Lobster Permit allows the permit holder to take and land American lobsters (Homerus americanus) from state waters or land lobsters taken outside state waters for commercial purposes.
Fee:
- Residents: $150.00
- Non-residents: $225.00
Age Requirement: Applicants 16 years old or under must have application signed and notarized by parent or legal guardian.
Permit Duration: Permit expires December 31 of each year. A person who possessed a lobster license in the previous year will be eligible to be issued a license in the current year.
How to Apply
Lobster permits are currently under moratorium for new permits; no new permits are being issued. Please contact the Marine Permit Office at the phone number below for further information.
Lobster Landing Permit
Allows permit holder to land lobster legally taken from waters outside the state for commercial purposes.
Fee: $300.00
Age Requirement: Applicants 16 years old or under must have application signed and notarized by parent of legal guardian.
Permit Duration: Permit expires December 31 of each year.
How to Apply
Please contact DEC's Marine Permit Office for further information.
Lobster Bait Gill Net Permit
Allows for commercial lobster harvesters to take bait fish with one 300 foot long gill net in an area where the use of gill nets is otherwise prohibited by law. Permit is only issued to holders of a commercial lobster permit.
Age Requirement: Applicants 16 years of under must have application signed and notarized by parent or legal guardian.
Permit Duration: Permit expires December 31 of each year.
How to Apply
To obtain a Lobster Bait Gill Net Permit you must first be in possession of a NYS commercial lobster permit; please contact the Marine Permit Office at the phone number below for further information.
Renewing and Reporting
License Renewal
A renewal form will be sent by mail prior to the permit expiration date. If a license renewal forms is not received at least 2 weeks prior to the expiration date, please contact the Marine Permit Office at the number below.
Annual Reporting
The license holder must submit Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) monthly to DEC (or NMFS in a federal permit holder).
New York Code Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)
Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)
To find a law click on the link, click on ENV, find Article 13, click on the appropriate law.
