All anglers are required to possess a valid Mexico fishing license if fishing in Mexican waters by boat. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person from issuing government agencies and licensed vendors.
The current prices for Mexican fishing licenses are outlined below. Some prices may vary slightly due to additional seller fees.
|
License Period |
Price |
|
One Day |
$13 |
|
Seven Days |
$25 |
|
One Month |
$34 |
|
Annual |
$44 |
In this article, you will learn who needs a fishing license for fishing in Mexican waters and Mexico’s fishing regulations. We will also go over where to purchase licenses and popular fishing spots for Baja California Sur, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta.
Do You Need a Fishing License in Mexico?
All anglers regardless of age who are in possession of fishing gear are required to hold a valid Mexico fishing license when fishing in Mexican waters from a vessel. If you are fishing from shore, you do not need a fishing license. A Mexico fishing license only allows the harvesting of finfish, not crustaceans or mollusks.
Mexico Fishing Regulations
All passengers aboard a fishing vessel must possess a valid Mexico fishing license whether or not they intend to fish. Only one rod and reel per person and no more than four hooks for catching benthic fish are allowed. Electric reels are only permittable to disabled fishermen.
Daily bag limits for saltwater species are ten fish with no more than five fish from any one species. Certain species such as tarpon, roosterfish, dorado, and billfish have a daily limit of one or two individuals per day and count as five fish towards the total daily bag limit.
Daily bag limits for freshwater species and fish caught while skin diving is five per day. Fish caught using a sportfishing license may not be sold for profit. Artificial lighting and firearms are illegal to use for fishing. Harvesting fish for ornamental use is not prohibited.
Harvested fish may not be filleted onboard the same vessel from which it was captured.
Where Can I Purchase a Fishing License in Baja California Sur?
Mexico fishing licenses for those planning on fishing in Baja California Sur can be purchased in person at local tackle shops in San Diego, California, or from Baja’s state tourism offices located in Rosarito, San Felipe, Ensenada, San Quentin, and Tijuana.
The government of Baja California Sur also has a website where fishing licenses can be purchased and printed off right from your own home computer.
Where Are the Best Spots to Fish in Baja California Sur?
La Paz, Loreto, Ensenada, and Cabo San Lucas are all top spots for offshore fishing in Baja California Sur. La Paz and Cabo San Lucas are popular for their marlin fishing with striped marlin abundant during fall, winter, and spring and black and blue marlin abundant during the summer.
Yellowfin and bluefin tuna are popular catches in the fall and summer in Ensenada and La Paz. Other fish species found in abundance in La Paz include snapper, wahoo, yellowtail, and sailfish. Ensenada is also famous for excellent bottom fishing and species such as bonita, rockfish, and bass.
Loreto and Cabo San Lucas also offer abundant billfish in the spring and summer, and yellowtail and roosterfish in the fall and spring.
Where Can I Purchase a Fishing License in Cancún?
Mexico fishing licenses can be purchased online from Mexican government agencies. There are also a plethora of charter fishing services and tourism fishing trips. Most of these packages include a fishing license so you do not need to obtain one separately; however, make sureit is included before assuming.
Where Are the Best Spots to Fish in Cancún?
Cancún offers a variety of excellent fishing spots and several ways to embark on your next fishing trip. You can fish from shore along the Riviera, from the beach, or underneath bridges. Some of the best areas include those in the Nichupte Lagoon and off Isla Blanca and Isla Mujeres.There are many charter and tour services to take you fishing as well. The top-rated companies to book with include Cancún Light Tackle & Fly Fishing Tours, Family Fishing Cancún, Shut Up and Fish, and AquaWorld.
Where Can I Purchase a Fishing License in Puerto Vallarta?
Fishing licenses are valid for the entire country of Mexico and can be purchased online from one of the government’s state office websites. Additionally, some charter services and dive shops in Puerto Vallarta including Chico’s Dive Shop and Mr. Marlin Fishing Charters also sell recreational saltwater fishing licenses.
Most charter and tourism fishing packages will include a Mexico fishing license, but if you are fishing without a service you need to make sure you possess a valid license before setting out.
Where Are the Best Spots to Fish in Puerto Vallarta?
If you are looking to catch big game fish like tuna, dorado, sailfish, or marlin, some of the best spots in Puerto Vallarta include La Corbetena, El Moro, and El Banco. Fishing off the Marietas Islands also offers an abundance of different species such as mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, red snapper, amberjack, roosterfish, jack crevalle, and sailfish.
If you would rather fish from shore, casting your reel right from the beach located just outside of downtown Puerto Vallarta can snag you jacks, mackerel, needlefish, snappers, and stingrays. Both summer and wintertime fishing in Puerto Vallarta offers great catches so any time of year you decide to visit for fishing, you are sure to reel in a big haul!
Conclusion
Whether you are fishing from shore lounging on the beach or deep-sea fishing from a charter boat, Mexico offers some excellent fishing spots. Fishing licenses are required for all anglers fishing aboard a vessel but not for anglers casting from land. There are a number of regulations including bag limits, restricted species catches, and gear regulations that should be reviewed before fishing in Mexico.
Baja California Sur, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta all offer fantastic fishing venues with prize-winning catches including marlin, sailfish, and dorado.
Want to get licensed in other places? Check out our post.
