2025 Mexican Fishing

Rules & regulations

Allowed: 

From land and on board a boat:

  • Only on per sport fisherman: rod, line, or hand line with hook.
  • Electrically operated reels may only be used by persons with disabilities
  • The bait may have 4 hooks in a vertical line per sport fisherman
  • Free Diving with a rubber band, spring, or pheumatic harpoon 

 

Not Allowed: 

From land and on board a boat:

  • It is NOT permitted to operate more than 1 rod or hand line simultaneously.
  • Using or transporting multi-hook longlines or nets, explosives, and toxic substances on sport fishing vessels.
  • For underwater sport fishing, the use of diving tanks, hooks, slings, and light-attracting devices is prohibited.

 

On-Board Filleting is Forbidden! 

The strength of the line or fishing line may not exceed 130 pounds

 

Sportfishing Regulations
  • 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.
  • Under no circumstances may live specimans of any species of aquatic fauna be thrown into the sea as food to attract the species targeted by sport fishing, as ‘bait’, without first being attached to a hook, constitute a practice of ‘baiting’ fishing areas; a procedure that, in the case of recreational fishing, may only be authorized to facilitate the holding and development of tournaments.
  • Underwaterfishing may only be carried out with a single harpoon with a ruberband or spring per fisherman, and the use of hooks and spears is prohibited.
  • Hand nets with scoops, hooks, and snares may be used exclusively as auxiliary equitement to ensure the retention of caught fish.
  • The use of bait in marine waters may only be fishing origin and live bait may be used to catch the first two specimens in each day, after which only dead bait, fresh or thawed may be used.
Other Fishing Laws in Mexico
  • Filleting of your fish onboard your boat is not allowed except for immediate consumption. You need to wait until you return to shore to fillet your fish. Billfish cannot be filleted onboard at any time.
  • It is illegal to capture and keep any fish alive for ornamental purposes.
  • You cannot sell any of the fish you catch while fishing.
  • It’s illegal to dump trash or harmful substances into the water.
  • You may not collect shells, corals, sea anemones, and snails, or disturb their original ecosystem/environment.
  • You may not sportfish within 250 meters or less from swimmers.
  • You are not allowed to use artificial lighting to attract large quantities of fish.
  • Firearms are illegal in anywhere in Mexico, including Mexican waters.
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.
Reqired Boating Laws in Meixco

If you are bringing your boat to Mexico, it will need a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) if it is over 4.5 meters long (just over 14 feet).

If you are arriving by land and trailering your boat in, you will need to stop at Aduanas (Customs) at the border to purchase your TIP. Boat TIPs are good for 10 years and, as of January 2023, cost approximately $55. There is no deposit required for a boat TIP and they can be renewed online. Unlike RVs and vehicles, anyone, regardless of citizenship or residency status, can get a boat TIP.

You need a boat TIP for all of Mexico. Unlike vehicles, there is no “no TIP required” or “free zone” areas like the border zones and the Baja peninsula. If you are going to Baja, you will need a TIP for your boat. You also need a current registration and proof of ownership of both the boat and trailer.

And don’t forget your Mexican boat (and trailer) insurance! Mexican boat liability insurance is required by law in Mexican waters. And in many cases, it is required at the marinas, before you can moor or launch a boat.

If you arrive by sea, you will need to see the port captain to obtain both your boat TIP and your FMM.

Note: When boating in Mexican waters, under no circumstances can you anchor your boat on the coral reefs. Any anchoring needs to be at least 15 meters from the perimeter line of the reef.