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🎣 The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Panama 2025: Types, Regulations, Closed Seasons, and Best Spots

  • Writer: Click and Sailing | Panamá Boat Charter
    Click and Sailing | Panamá Boat Charter
  • Apr 22
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jun 23


The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Panama 2025
Imagen obtenida de la Alcaldía de Panamá

Panama, with 2,490 km of coastline between the Pacific and the Caribbean , is one of the richest fishing destinations in the world . From sport fishing for billfish to the ancient indigenous fishing of Guna Yala, this country offers unique experiences for all types of anglers.

In this definitive guide you will find:

✅ The 7 types of fishing allowed (from deep-sea fishing to traditional techniques)

⛔ Prohibited methods and fines (avoid penalties of up to $10,000!)

🗓️ 2024-2025 closed season calendar (by species and coastal zone)🐟 Iconic species of each region (Pacific vs. Caribbean)

📍 The 12 best places to fish (including San Blas, Coiba, and secret sites)

Become a responsible fisherman and enjoy this aquatic paradise! 🌊

The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Panama 2025

We have some specialized fishing catamarans, which they know and can take you to places only they know and have professional equipment on board: See our 48ft Salina catamaran

🌎 Panama: A Fishing Paradise Between Two Oceans

Panama is home to 1,000 species of fish , 33 marine protected areas , and some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world, according to the FAO. Its waters are home to:

  • Large pelagic fish (marlin, tuna, dorado)

  • Reef fish (snappers, groupers, snappers)

  • High-value seafood (lobsters, shrimp, snails)


🎣 Types of Fishing Allowed in Panama

1. Deep Sea Sport Fishing 🚤

  • Star zones :

    • Coiba Island (world record blue marlin)

    • Pearl Islands (hammerhead sharks)

    • Gulf of Chiriquí (sailfish)

  • Techniques : Trolling, trolling, fly fishing

  • Species : Marlin (blue/black), sailfish, dorado

🔗 Regulations in AMP


2. Coastal Fishing

  • Best sites :

    • Venao Beach (corvinas)

    • Bocas del Toro (sabalos)

    • Santa Catalina (roosterfish)

  • Equipment : Surfcasting rods, artificial lures


3. Spearfishing 🤿

  • Permitted : Manual harpoon (without compressor)

  • Prohibited : SCUBA fishing (except research)

  • Ideal areas :

    • Dry Islands (snappers)

    • Portobelo (groupers)


4. Indigenous Artisanal Fishing 🛶

  • Communities :

    • Guna Yala (San Blas) : Subsistence fishing with traps

    • Emberá : Use of barbasco (local consumption only)

  • Specialty : Lobster and snail capture


5. Reef Fishing 🐠

  • Hotspots :

    • Zapatilla Keys (Bocas del Toro)

    • Iguana Island (Pedasí)


  • Common catches : Snappers, groupers, and groupers

⚠️ Prohibited Methods and Fines

Method

Fine

Environmental Impact

Trawls

5,000−5,000−10,000

Destroys seabeds

Dynamite/poisons

$10,000+

Kills entire reefs

SCUBA Fishing

1,500−1,500−3,000

Overexploitation

🔗 Complaints: ARAP


📅 Closures by Region 2024-2025

Central Pacific (Panama, Herrera)

Species

Veda

Reason

Shrimp

March 1-June 30

Reproduction

Red snapper

May 1-July 31

Spawning season

Eastern Caribbean (Guna Yala, Colón)

Species

Veda

Grades

Lobster

April 1-June 30

Prohibited in Kuna Yala

Snail

July 1-September 30

Local consumption only

Western Pacific (Chiriquí)

Species

Veda

Specific Zone

Golden

October 15-December 15

Gulf of Chiriquí

🗺️ 12 Best Places to Fish

  1. San Blas (Guna Yala)

    • Type : Artisanal + sport fishing

    • Specialty : Barracudas and wahoo

  2. Coiba Island

    • Record : 1,142 lb blue marlin

  3. Bocas del Toro

    • Unique : Night Tarpon Fishing

  4. Gulf of Montijo

    • Paradise : Giant Snappers

(Full list with GPS coordinates in our fishing app )


🐠 Species by Zone

Caribbean (San Blas to Bocas)

  • Roosterfish (Caristius maderensis)

  • Goliath grouper (endangered, prohibited)

Pacific (Coiba to Darien)

  • Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)

  • Yellowfin tuna (regulated catch)


💡 Expert Advice

  • Best time : December-April (Pacific), May-September (Caribbean)

  • Permits : 50−50−200 (sports) in MiAmbiente

  • Recommended equipment : PENN International rods (for large pelagics)


🌱 Sustainable Fishing: Our Commitment

At Click&Sailing we promote: ♻️ Capture and release of vulnerable species 📢 Report illegal fishing to 311 (ARAP)

📌 Ready to go fishing? Book your tour at clickandsailing.com/fishing

Share this guide and let's help preserve Panama's seas! 🌊💙


1. Where to fish in Panama?

Answer:Top spots: Gulf of Chiriquí (marlin), Pearl Islands (tuna), San Blas (coastal fishing), Boca Chica (bottom fish), and Gatun Lake (peacock bass). World-record waters!


2. What fish species can you catch in Panama?

Answer:Key species: Blue/Black Marlin, Atlantic Tarpon, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Red Snapper, and in freshwater: Peacock Bass (tucunaré).


3. Do you need a fishing license in Panama?

Answer:✅ Yes. All anglers (locals/tourists) require a sportfishing permit. Obtain it from ARAP (Aquatic Resources Authority). Cost: ~$50 USD/year. Reputable charters handle this for you!


4. When is peak fishing season in Panama?

Answer:

  • Offshore fishing: December to April (marlin, tuna).

  • Coastal fishing: Year-round, peaks August-November (mahi-mahi, wahoo).

  • Freshwater: January to May (peacock bass in lakes).


5. All-inclusive fishing tours in Panama?

Answer:Absolutely! Book full-day charters including:

  • 🚤 Rigged boat (rods, bait, ice).

  • 🎣 Expert guide (secret spots).

  • 📋 Licenses covered.Prices: from $350 USD (8 hours, max 4 people).

  • The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Panama 2025

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