Fishing licence worldwide
Fishing licence in Mexico: what anglers need
In Mexico you can fish from shore without a permit. From a boat you need a personal sport fishing permit from the fisheries agency CONAPESCA, usually arranged by the charter. You may keep no more than one billfish such as marlin or sailfish per day.
Checked on 15.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.
- Sea
- partly
- Freshwater
- partly
Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Mexico?
Anglers fishing from shore do not need a permit. Anglers fishing from a boat need a personal permit under the federal fees law; the same applies to spearfishing.
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994, Änderung DOF 25.11.2013, Nr. 4.3 und 4.14 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Mexico?
The standard covers all federal waters, including lakes and reservoirs. From shore you need no permit, from a boat you do. In freshwater you may keep 5 fish per day; the reservoir committee can lower that.
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994, Änderung DOF 25.11.2013, Nr. 4.3 und 4.9.2 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
How much is a fishing licence in Mexico?
Fees are set in the federal fees law (Art. 199-B) and are adjusted every year. We have not yet read an official amount for 2026. not confirmed yet
Source: Ley Federal de Derechos Art. 199-B, nur über Gesetzessammlung eines Dritten gelesen
Where do you buy a fishing licence for Mexico?
CONAPESCA issues the permit electronically nationwide. The online portal could not be reached when we checked. On booked trips the charter usually arranges the permit. not confirmed yet
What about children, teens and seniors?
The sport fishing standard has no specific rules for children or age limits.
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994, Änderung DOF 25.11.2013 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
What applies to visitors from abroad?
Permits are issued to Mexicans and foreigners alike. They are personal, cannot be extended and cannot be transferred. You must carry the permit and show it on request.
Source: Ley General de Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables Art. 67 (Gesetzessammlung eines Dritten)
Which catch and take-home rules apply?
At sea you may keep 10 fish per day, no more than 5 of one species. Billfish, sharks and giant sea bass count as 5 fish each, and only one per day. Tarpon (sábalo), dorado, roosterfish (pez gallo) and baya: no more than 2 per day, each counts as 5. Release fish over the limit alive. Selling the catch is prohibited.
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994, Änderung DOF 25.11.2013, Nr. 4.9 und 4.11 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
What else should you know?
In protected areas and reserves you need express authorisation. Keep 250 m away from swimming beaches and commercial fishing gear, and never anchor on coral reefs. Billfish may not be filleted on land.
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994, Änderung DOF 25.11.2013, Nr. 4.10, 4.12, 4.16 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Official licence pages by state or region
Each state or region sells its own licence. These are the official agency pages.
- Ganz Mexiko (Bundesgewässer)CONAPESCA, Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y PescaYes, foreigners get the same personal permit; none is needed when fishing from shore.
2026 fee not read from an official source (federal fees law Art. 199-B, adjusted yearly). CONAPESCA online portal could not be reached on Oct 15, 2026. CONAPESCA should confirm that the shore exemption in the standard still applies under the newer fisheries law.
Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.
Next steps
Other countries
Sources (3)
- NOM-017-PESC-1994, Änderung DOF 25.11.2013, Nr. 4.3 und 4.14 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)Retrieved 15.10.2026
- Ley Federal de Derechos Art. 199-B, nur über Gesetzessammlung eines Dritten gelesenRetrieved 15.10.2026
- Offene-Daten-Eintrag CONAPESCA (Suchauszug)Retrieved 15.10.2026
Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].
Know more?
Additions, photos of your catches or a mistake in the text: write to us and we will gladly credit you as a helper.
Send a tip