Fishing in The Bahamas

The boat you fish from must have a sporting permit aboard (applies to non-Bahamians). Individual permits are not required. Permits are obtained from Customs officials at ports of entry. Fishing gear is restricted to hook and line and you may not fish with more than six rods at a time. Bag limits are as follows:

Wahoo/Dolphin/Kingfish/Tuna

Migratory species such as kingfish, dolphin, tuna or wahoo shall not exceed 18 fish per vessel at any time. (The previous limit was six (6).

Stone Crabs

Closed season is June 1 to October 15. Minimum harvestable claw is 4”. Harvesting of female is prohibited.

Turtles

Illegal to import. No vessel shall have onboard marine turtles.

Lobster or crawfish

No more than 10 tails at any given time. Annual closed season is April 1 to July 31. Minimum size limits are 3-3/8 inch carapace length or six inches tail length. Egg –bearing female crawfish are protected.

Conch

Harvesting and possession of conch without a well formed lip is prohibited. Bag limit at any given time is no more than 6 per boat.

Vessel Bag Limit

Demersal species (groupers, snappers, etc.) in excess of 60 pounds or 20 scale fish.

Spearfishing

Hawaiian sling is the only approved spearfishing device. You are not allowed to use scuba gear or an air compressor to harvest fish, conch, crawfish or other marine animals. Spearfishing is not allowed within one mile of the coast of New Providence, within one mile of the south coast of Freeport, Grand Bahama and within 200 yards of the coast of all The Out Islands. Spearing or taking marine animals by any means is prohibited within national sea parks.

SOURCE: The Islands of The Bahamas Boating & Fishing Guide.