Ensenada Harbor

Harbor Map & City Map

Navigation Information

Marinas

Hotels

Eateries & Pubs

Fishing Charters

Boat Yards

Offshore Boat Deliveries

Gov't Assistance,
Requirements & Permits

Insurance

Exchange Rates

Fish Market

Day Trips

Islas de Todo Santos

Chandlery & Ship's Store

Harbors, Havens & Ports

Sailors Choice

Sailors Choice
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
31°50.39'N - 116°38.3'W
Fishing Charters, Calendar and Regulations

	There are a number of ways to go fishing out of Ensenada Harbor.  Our favorites are Juanito's Boats and the package Casa Del Sol is offering.  With a wide selection of boats and knowledgeable skippers, we always have a great time and catch fish.  Looking for fish?
	It's Juanito's!
	Casa Del Sol Fishing Package

Mexican Sportfishing Regulations
In order to operate a boat that carries fishing gear of any kind including snorkeling gear, or fish, or fish parts on board in Mexican waters, it is necessary to have a valid boat permit and personal fishing licenses for everyone aboard the boat regardless of age and whether fishing or not. And check to see if your dinghy or large inflatable falls under this regulation. Only one rod or line with hook is permitted on the water, per person,at one time, but there is no restriction regarding the number of spares. Any non-resident alien 16 years or older must possess a valid Mexican Sportfishing License before fishing in Mexican waters. This license covers all types of fishing and is valid anywhere in Mexico.  Licenses for people fishing from
commercial sportfishing boats are normally provided by the boat operators. A fishing license is also required for underwater fishing. Fish can be gutted and filleted, but a patch of skin must be left to permit identification.

The fishing license allows you to capture fin fish only. It does not allow you to capture any mollusks or crustaceans. Totuava, turtles and marine mammals are under the protection of the Ministry and may not be captured at any time. To catch bottom fish, up to four hooks on a vertical line may be used.

Fishing licenses are issued for periods of one day, one week, one month and one year, effective at 12:01 am on the date of purchase. The cost of Mexican fishing licenses are: Day License - $ 8.00, Week License - $18.95, Month License - $24.00, Annual License - $31.25.  All prices are in US Dollars. These licenses are not transferable, and each license must include your full legal name, home address, and telephone number.
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 or 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 phone 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 Mexico Department of Fisheries also has offices in Mexico (Oficina de Pesca), but it is advisable to obtain fishing licenses before crossing the border.

Bag and Possession Limits
In ocean waters and estuaries, the limit is a total of ten fish per day, with no more than 5 catches of a single species, except of the species Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish, and Shark, of which only one specimen is allowed and which count as five of any other species, or Dorado, Roosterfish, Shad, or Tarpon of which only two of each specie are allowed and which also count as five of any other specie. 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, Swordfish, Shark or Sailfish No more than two (2) Tarpon, Halibut, Dorado, Roosterfish, Shad. In brackish waters, anglers are permitted to take up to twenty (20) Perch and twenty (20) Carp per day.

Limit on inland bodies of water (rivers, lakes, dams, etc.) is five fish per day, whether of a single specie or in combination. Under water fishing is limited to five fish per day, and skin and scuba divers may only fish with hand-held spears or band-powered spearguns and only while skin diving.

Except when skin or scuba diving, fish must be taken by angling with a hand-held line or a line attached to a rod. 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. 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.

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.

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, rivers, 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.
It is requested that all unusual activities, occurrences or record catches be reported to the nearest office of the Ministry of the Environment-Natural Resources and Fisheries, or to its representation in San Diego, CA., in order to ensure the preservation of natural resources for the continued enjoyment of all fisherman.
Fish caught under a sportfishing license may not be filleted aboard the vessel from which it was caught.

US Customs Regulations:
Sportfishermen 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 will suffice.  Anyone bringing fish into the United States will be asked by Customs officials to present a valid Mexican fishing license or a Mexico Department of Fisheries form covering the purchase of the fish. For more information, contact: California Department of Fish and Game, 1350 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 237-7311

All rights reserved © 1997-2003 Makai Promotions, Web-Design by Makai Promotions