Mexican Fishing Licenses
How to Get a Fishing Permit Online - The state government of Baja California Sur
December, 2018
Notice from the state government of Baja California Sur:
December 1st the Mexican federal government changed leadership based on the July national elections. At this time we are only issuing daily and weekly licenses while we work through the process with the transition team. We hope to return to business as usual shortly and apologize for the inconvenience.
Visit the Baja California Sur Fishing Permit Website
The state government of Baja California Sur's online purchasing process is completely online now. The permit is available to print after paying, but turn off any pop up blockers.
Fishing license pricing for Baja Sur's website as of January 2019:
- One day: $12.01 dollars
- One week: $23.55 dollars
- Keep in mind your credit card may have a currency conversion fee since this is an international transaction
Accepted forms of payment: Visa, Mastercard. Prices subject to change.
Contact:
Phone from U.S.: 011-52-612-123-3807
Other ways to get a fishing license:
- Visiting the CONAPESCA office in San Diego or by mailing in your application and money order
- Some local tackle shops
- State tourism offices in Baja: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, San Felipe, San Quintín
If you will be fishing on a boat in Mexico, fishing licenses will be needed for passengers on board. As of January 2008, only fishing permits are required, fishing permits for the boat are no longer required. (However temporary vehicle import permits from Banjercito will be required if the boat is operated on Mexican waters or while driving in mainland Mexico.)
About CONAPESCA
The only CONAPESCA (Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca) office in the U.S. is located in San Diego. They will issue licenses by mail if you do not live in the San Diego area. Print out an application or visit CONAPESCA's website. Mail the application in to them with your money order or cashiers' check, a self-addressed stamped envelope and they will send you your documents by mail. They recommend using certified mail for both envelopes.
CONAPESCA fishing license pricing as of December 2018:
- One day: $9.25
- One week: $23.20
- One month: $34.80
- One year: $46.40
- Excursion license: $66.10
Accepted forms of payment: only money orders or cashiers' checks in the correct amount and made out to Oficina de Pesca. Prices subject to change.
Contact:
Oficina de Pesca
2389 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-233-4324
Fax: 619-233-0344
www.sportfishinginmexico.com
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 2pm
Fisherman's Landing - San Diego Tackle Shop
If you are driving through or live in San Diego, the Fisherman's Landing located in Shelter Island makes it convenient to obtain a fishing license in a matter of minutes. They offer the added convenience of being open seven days a week and have customer friendly business hours. If you are an avid fisherman, you will be impressed with their selection of tackle and their friendly staff as well.
Fisherman's Landing
2838 Garrison Street
San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: 619-221-8506
Fax: 619-222-0799
www.saltwatertackle.com
Hours: Winter 7am - 6pm; Summer 7am - 11pm
Seven days a week
Fisherman's Landing fishing license prices:
- One day: $20
- One week: $39
- One year: $64
Accepted forms of payment: cash, personal checks, major credit cards. Prices subject to change.
About Getting a Fishing Permit at a Baja State Tourism Office
Accepted forms of payment: cash
Addresses of the state tourism offices:
Tijuana
Via de la Juventud No. 8800-2523
Plaza Viva Tijuana
Phone: 011-52 (664) 973-0424
Rosarito
Blvd. Benito Juárez No. 907, Ste 29
Centro Comercial Oceana
Phone: 011-52 (661) 612-5222
Ensenada
Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas and Calle Las Rocas 1477
Phone: 011-52 (646) 172-5444
San Felipe
Mar de Cortes Av. and Manzanillo 300
Phone: 011-52 (686) 577-1865
San Quintín
Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 178.3
Col. Santa Fe
Phone: 011-52 (616) 165-3645
Mexican Sportfishing Regulations from Oficina de Pesca San Diego
- When operating a boat that carries fishing equipment in Mexican waters, it is necessary to hold a valid fishing license for everybody aboard the boat, regardless of age and whether fishing or not. A fishing license is not required when fishing from land.
- Only one rod or line with hook is permitted in the water, per person, but there is no restriction regarding the number of replacement items.
- A fishing license allows to capture only fin fish. It does not allow to capture any mollusks or crustaceans, and their capture by anyone is strictly prohibited. Totuava, turtles and marine mammals are under protection of the Ministry and may not be captured at any time.
- To capture bottom fish, up to four hooks on a vertical line may be used.
- The use of electric reels is restricted to disabled fisherman only, after written authorization from the Ministry before use.
Bag and Possession Limits
- In ocean waters and estuaries the limit is a total of ten fish per day, with no more than 5 catches of a single species, except of the species of marlin, sailfish, swordfish and shark of which only one specimen of either is allowed and which counts as five toward the overall 10 fish limit, or dorado, roosterfish, shad or tarpon, of which only two samples of this group are allowed, and which count as five toward the overall 10 fish limit.
- Limit on inland bodies of water (rivers, lakes, dams, etc.) is five fish per day, whether of a single species or in combination.
- Underwater fishing is limited to five fish per day, using rubber band or spring type harpoons, and only while skindiving.
- There is no limit to the practice of "catch and release" as long as the fish that exceed the bag limit be returned to their environment in good survival condition.
- Where sportfishing is conducted from boats out at sea for longer that three days, the bag limit will be the equivalent of three times the amounts mentioned above.
Violations
- It is illegal to capture and maintain alive any fish for ornamental purposes.
- It is prohibited to receive any financial gain from the product obtained through sportfishing.
- It is prohibited to dump trash, litter or substances that harm the aquatic flora or fauna, whether on lakes, river banks, shores or oceanic waters.
- It is prohibited to collect shells, corals, sea anemones and snails, or to disturb the original ecosystem environment.
- It is prohibited to practice sportfishing 250 meters or less from swimmers.
- It is prohibited to use artificial lighting to attract large quantities of fish.
- It is prohibited to discharge firearms in Mexican waters.
- Fish caught under a sportfishing license may not be filleted aboard the vessel from which it was caught.
- It is requested that all unusual activities, occurrences or record catches to be reported to the nearest Oficina de Pesca, or to its representation in San Diego, CA., in order to ensure the preservation of natural resources for the continued enjoyment of all fisherman.
Updated: Jan 18, 2019 10:04 AM
