FISHING PERMITS & LICENSE INFORMATION IN CABO SAN LUCAS

Everyone must possess a valid Mexican Sportfishing License before boarding any fishing vessel in Mexican waters. For people fishing on charter sportfishing boats, the law was changed in 1998. No longer will the charters have one (1) license that covers everyone fishing on the charter. Everyone on the boat must possess a valid Mexican Sportfishing License.

The Mexico Department of Fisheries has offices in Mexico (Oficina de Pesca), but it is advisable to obtain fishing licenses before crossing the border.

Applications for Mexican Sportfishing Licenses can be obtained at the Mexico Department of Fisheries office in San Diego; however, most people purchase them through their local fishing and tackle store or Mexican Insurance dealer. If you receive your application from the Department of Fisheries office, upon completion, applications should be submitted to:

Mexico Department of Fisheries
2550 5th Avenue, Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92103

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm to answer any questions. The FAX number is (619) 233-6956.

Applications sent to this address must be accompanied by a cashier's check or money order for the exact amount due, and made payable to Oficina Recaudadora de Pesca; personal checks are not accepted. For mail orders, be sure to include a stamped self-addressed return envelope.

The prices for Mexican fishing licenses are as follows - (they change frequently, often without notice):
Daily License - $8.00 Average in Mexico
Weekly License - $19.60
Monthly License - $28.05
Annual License - $36.60

All prices are in US Dollars. These licenses are not transferable, and each license must include the person's full legal name, home address, and telephone number.

Be cautious of companies telling you that licenses are included with the price of your boat rental. Most will charge you but never give them to you. Remember to ask for your licenses before you get on the boat. Don't get confused about the paper you sign in the morning for the Port Captain (called a despacho) this is NOT your license. EVERYONE on the boat must possess a valid Mexican Sportfishing License

MEXICAN DAILY BAG LIMITS/OTHER REGULATIONS

Each fisherman is permitted to catch up to ten (10) fish per day, with no more than five (5) fish of any one species.

In addition, anglers are subject to the following limits:
No more than one (1) full-grown Marlin
No more than two (2) Dorado, Tarpon, Halibut, or Sailfish
In brackish waters, anglers are permitted to take up to twenty (20) Perch and twenty (20) Carp per day.

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 a boat out at sea for longer than three days, the bag limit will be the equivalent of three times the amount mentioned above.

Except when skin or scuba diving, fish must be taken by angling with a hand-held line or a line attached to a rod. Skin and scuba divers may only fish with hand-held spears or band-powered spear guns. Under water fishing is limited to five fish per day, using rubber band or spring type harpoons, and only while skin diving. The use of nets (except handling nets), traps, poisons, or explosives is strictly prohibited.

It is illegal to sell, trade, or exchange the fish caught. Fish can be eviscerated and filleted, but a patch of skin must be left to permit identification.

The taking of abalone, lobster, shrimp, pismo clams, cabrilla, totuava, oysters, and sea turtles is prohibited by Mexican law! Anyone wishing to purchase any of these species to take into the United States must first obtain a form from the Mexican Government Fish Commission; only the Oficinas de Pesca located within Mexico provides this form. All purchases of these species must be made at designated public markets or fishing cooperatives.

US CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR CABO SPORTFISHERMAN:

Sport fishermen may bring into the United States only fish for personal consumption. US Customs requires that the fish catch must be accompanied by a California Declaration of Entry form, obtainable at California Fish and Game offices and at the US Border ports of entry. (Note that different regulations may apply if you live in a state other than California; for information regarding your state's regulations, contact your local Department of Fish and Game or your local US Customs office) The number of fish must not exceed the Mexican bag limit. Fish transported across the boarder can be eviscerated but must be identifiable; usually the head, tail, or patch of skin left intact. Anyone bringing fish into the United States may or will be asked by Customs officials to present a valid Mexican fishing license or a Mexico Department of Fisheries form covering the purchase or sportfishing of the fish.

For more information, contact:
California Department of Fish and Game
1350 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-7311