Double Dipping Between Mexico and California

April 29, 2010

Question: If an angler has both U.S. and Mexican fishing licenses and fishes the Coronado Islands (Mexico waters) in the morning and catches a “Mexican limit” of fish, can the person stop on the way back to San Diego Bay to fish the Point Loma kelp beds to catch a U.S. limit of fish? It seems like this should be okay as long as each angler keeps each catch limit separate. For example, each angler could have one ice cooler for their Mexican fish and a separate ice cooler for their U.S. fish. Please advise. (Michael V., San Diego)

Answer: Unfortunately, no. California ocean fishing regulations prohibit any person from having more fish in their possession than is prescribed, even if they were taken from different sides of the border. Once you cross the border, you must complete a Declaration for Entry form listing all fish taken in Mexico, and offload your catch without fishing along the way. The form is available on page 79 of the 2010 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations book or online at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/. If you do stop to fish on the U.S. side, all fish in your possession must then meet California regulations, which are often even more restrictive than those prescribed under the laws of Mexico.