Bahamas Fishing Regulations

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. No vessel shall have on board any fish unless its head and tail is intact. Bag limits are as follows:

Lobster or Crawfish: Six tails per vessel, at any 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: The Queen Conch (conch) is considered an endangered species throughout much of the wider Caribbean, including The Bahamas. In an effort to ensure the continued sustainability of local conch stocks, the harvesting of the species by foreign boaters is prohibited.

Wahoo/Dolphin/Kingfish: Six fish per vessel, any combination.

Vessel Bag Limit: 20 pounds of scalefish, 10 conch and six crawfish per vessel may be exported from The Islands Of The Bahamas.

Stone Crabs: Closed season is June 1 to October 15. Minimum harvestable claw is four inches. Harvesting of females is prohibited.

Turtle: Illegal to catch or have on board; although legal to eat in The Islands Of The Bahamas.

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