What you need to know before you fish in Mexican waters.
Note: this guidance dates back to when it was originally written and pricing/procedures may have changed since — please confirm current requirements with Conapesca or contact us directly before your trip.
Changes in Mexican Fishing License Procedures
In past years we were always able to obtain fishing permission by boat for the year. This is no longer the case — each individual fisherman must obtain their own license for fishing in Mexican waters. We are also no longer able to secure books of blank licenses, because the license must be filled out with the fisherman’s personal data at the point of purchase.
While we may be able to secure licenses on very short notice on an emergency basis, we cannot rely on this, and we’d hate for you to miss your first day of fishing while we’re getting you your license. Luckily, these licenses can be obtained prior to your trip, through the mail — the Conapesca office in San Diego can issue licenses at the following rates:
- 1 week — $25.80
- 1 month — $37.00
- 1 year — $48.20
Note: you can buy your 1 week and 1 month licenses ahead of time by putting in writing the date you’d like the license to become effective, while 1 year licenses begin on the date of issuance and last one calendar year. Clearly the one year license is a deal for those lucky enough to come down more than once a year.
You can copy the license application form from the Conapesca website at conapescasandiego.org — click the “license request form” box in the top header. Mail the application to the address on the website with a money order or cashier’s check in the exact amount of purchase (no credit cards, cash, or personal checks accepted), along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your license. This process takes less than two weeks.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but it appears the fishing authorities down here are tightening up on licenses, limits, etc., and we hope these changes represent real improvement in the management of the fishing resource in the Sea of Cortez.
— David Jones