Despite what many people will tell you, there are actually laws in Baja, Mexico, and when it comes to fishing, they have very strict rules, regulations and laws. Not only do they have to laws, but they do enforce them, and with the population of non-Mexicans growing rapidly in the Todos Santos area, they are getting more and more active in that enforcement.
Fishing License
The first thing you need to know is that if you are fishing from a boat, you need to have a license. A lot of people either do not know that, or just don’t think they will ever be stopped. The fact of the matter is that the Marina, Mexico’s Navy/Coast Guard, has been patrolling the water around Punta Lobos quite often in 2025. I have been stopped twice so far.
Even if you are not fishing, but on a boat that has fishing equipment, you must posses a valid Mexicn fishing license. So if you are just out for a ride and you are with someone who is fishing, you need a license too. Even if nobody is fishing but you have a fishing rod under the seat, you can be fined for not having a fishing license in Mexico.
Catch Limit
Mexico absolutely has a limit to how many saltwater fish you can catch. Mexico actually goes by a point system where each angler can catch and keep 10 points per day. While you can catch and keep 10 points per day, you can only catch and keep a max of 5 points per species per day.
Billfish such as marlin, sailfish and swordfish as well as shark are all given 5 points. Now there is one more regulation regarding these fish. Not only can an angler only catch and keep one of these per trip, but each boat can only catch and keep one of these. So if there are 4 anglers on the boat, only one of them can catch and keep any of the species.
Dorado, roosterfish and tarpon are all given 2.5 points, so a limit of 2 per angler is allowed.
All other fish such as yellowtail, tuna, Spanish mackerel, bonito etc are given 1 point, with a limit of 5 per angler per day.
Catch And Release
You are allowed to catch and release fish beyond the daily limit, but please keep in mind best practices for fish handling and preservation. DO NOT pull a billfish out of the water if you are going to release it. Keep the fish in the water and wet your hands/gloves before touching the fish. If the fish seems sluggish or faded in color, turn the face of the fish into the current and hold it allowing it to recover before releasing it.