Fishing in Mexico
- FMM
- Mexican Fishing License
- US Passport
- Biosphere (if within 12 miles of a land mass)
- TIP (Temporary Importation Permit)
FMM
Can span up to 6 months, but is no good for reentry into Mexico. You can only enter Mexico a single time with the same FMM.Get it Here Youtube video tutorial
US Passport
You can use either your actual passport or your ready card (Passport card).Biosphere
You will need a biosphere bracelet (single day use) or posess an annual biosphere visa if you are fishing in Mexico within twelve miles of a land mass. The Coronado Islands fall into this category.Get it Here.
TIP
Necessary to enter Mexico by land or by Sea. If you own your boat, simply include a copy of the title. If you have a loan on your boat, you will need a letter of permission from your lender. It's good for 10 years.Get it Here.
One form per angler.
There are two links on the page, one is for an online form you can fill out on your mobile phone, the other is a PDF.
Mexican Fishing Limits
One of the big questions lots of people have is what rules do I follow when I am fishing in Mexico.
Well, for the most part, you follow Mexican rules. There is at least one exception though.
Cowcod is legal to catch in Mexico, but it is not legal to posess it in US waters, regardless of where you caught it.
It is illegal to possess a cowcod if you are in US waters, period.
Another big misconception is around Black Sea Bass. Many people think that if you catch a Black Sea Bass in Mexico, you have to release it.
You can't catch them in US waters, but if you catch them in Mexico, the limit is 2 per angler. You can return to the USA with 2.
It is illegal to fish with an electric reel in Mexico unless you have an exception from a doctor.
In Mexico, for most fish species, the limit is 5 fish per species, with a total limit of 10 fish per angler. (20 fish per angler in USA)
There is no size component to their regulations.
There are two notable exceptions with regulations in Mexico though.
For Dorado and Bluefin Tuna, the limit is 2 per angler, and it counts as 5 fish to your limit.
If you catch 2 Dorado and 2 Bluefin, you are done for the day.
Or you could catch 5 Yellowtail and 5 Calico Bass, you are done for the day.
Or you could catch 5 Yellowtail and 2 Bluefin, you are done for the day.
When fishing in Mexico, you are allowed to use up to 4 hooks when bottom fishing. (2 in USA)