Belize: A Fishing Paradise

Belize is a small Central American country with a diverse range of fishing opportunities. From inshore lagoons to one of the world's biggest coral reefs and deep offshore waters, Belize offers a unique fishing experience. The country is home to a variety of fish species, including Tarpon, Snook, Permit, Bonefish, Marlin, Sailfish, and Tuna, making it an attractive destination for anglers of all kinds. With its English-speaking population and convenient access from North America, Belize is becoming a must-visit fishing destination in Central America.

Belize's diverse fishing grounds

Belize is a small country in Central America with a diverse range of fishing grounds. From inshore lagoons to offshore deep waters, Belize offers a wealth of fishing opportunities that attract anglers of all kinds. Here is a breakdown of the diverse fishing grounds that make Belize a top fishing destination:

Inshore Lagoons

Belize has a vast network of inshore lagoons that cover about 5% of the country's total area. These lagoons provide a unique fishing experience, as anglers can wade through the shallow waters in search of their catch. The lagoons are known for their abundant populations of Tarpon, Snook, Permit, and Bonefish. The shallow flats of the estuaries and the freshwater fishing grounds of the rivers are particularly popular spots for anglers targeting these species.

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize is home to the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest in the world. This reef provides an incredible fishing experience, with a diverse range of marine life. The reef is only a stone's throw away from the coast, making it easily accessible for anglers. The reef is known for its Snapper population, including Black Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Caribbean Queen Snapper, Mutton Snapper, and Yellowtail Snapper. Other species commonly found along the reef include Barracuda, Grouper, and Jacks.

Deep Offshore Waters

Beyond the reef, the ocean floor drops to depths of around 2,000 feet, providing a prime fishing ground for deep-sea anglers. This area is known for its Billfish family, including Marlin and Sailfish. Other sought-after species found in these deep waters include Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna. The diversity of marine life in these offshore waters makes Belize a top destination for anglers seeking a challenging and rewarding fishing experience.

Rivers and Mangrove-Lined Bays

Belize also offers excellent river fishing, with the Belize and Sibun Rivers being particularly popular spots. These rivers are known for their large Tarpon and Snook populations. The small mangrove creeks around the country's atolls are also worth exploring, as they are home to Snook, Barracuda, and other sport fish species.

Turneffe Atoll

The Turneffe Atoll, located about 20 miles off the coast of Belize, is the country's largest atoll. It is renowned for its pristine marine environment and diverse fishing opportunities. The atoll offers excellent bonefishing, with large schools of Bonefish found in the shallow flats. It is also a great location for Permit fishing, with both traditional flats fishing and a unique lagoon fishery. The lagoon is a prime spot for anglers seeking their first Permit catch.

In conclusion, Belize offers a diverse range of fishing grounds that cater to anglers of all skill levels and interests. With its inshore lagoons, vast coral reef, deep offshore waters, river systems, and atolls, Belize is a fishing paradise that continues to climb to the top of Central America's list of must-visit fisheries.

The Belize Barrier Reef

The reef is an important habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees, and the American marine crocodile. It also provides vital protection for Belize's coastline from the damaging effects of wave action, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

The reef has faced several threats in recent years, including oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes and coral bleaching due to global warming. Despite these challenges, the Belizean government has taken several protective measures to preserve this natural wonder.

Fishing seasons and weather

Belize has a neotropical climate, with year-round temperatures varying by less than 10°F. The weather is generally consistent throughout the year, with the temperature ranging from 70-95°F (averaging 84°F). Water temperatures average 78-80°F in winter and 83°F in summer. A comfortable southeasterly trade wind blows throughout most of the year, picking up in March and April. June marks the beginning of the rainy season, but this mainly affects the mainland rainforest and has little impact on the offshore atolls. Fall weather is usually pleasant, with mild winds, but it can be dominated by 'northers' or cold fronts.

Belize is home to a diverse range of fish species, with fishing opportunities available all year round. Bonefish, permit, and tarpon are the most sought-after species, collectively known as the 'Grand Slam'. Bonefish are present in equal numbers throughout the year, and there is no clearly defined season for bone fishing. Permit are also found in Belizean waters all year, but permit fishing is more predictable when the prevailing winds are most consistent, typically in winter, spring, and summer. Tarpon fishing is more seasonal, as tarpon are migratory. Tarpon numbers increase in April and May and decrease in September and October, with June, July, and August being the peak months. However, some resident tarpon can be found all year round.

May, June, July, August, and early September are considered the best fishing months overall, as there are good numbers of all three 'Grand Slam' species available. Summer temperatures are comfortable, ranging from the low to mid-90s, and a steady trade wind makes for pleasant weather.

Fishing spots and how to get there

Belize is a small country with a lot of fishing spots. Here are some of the best ones and how to get there:

Ambergris Caye

Known for its superb flats fishing, with an abundance of bonefish, permit and tarpon, as well as deep-sea fishing that guarantees big snapper, jacks, barracuda, snook, grouper and more, Ambergris Caye is a major draw for enthusiastic fishermen. You can fly directly to San Pedro Airport on the island from Miami, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Newark, and Charlotte.

Turneffe Atoll

If you seek privacy, Turneffe Atoll is the place to hide away and fish to your heart’s content! One of three atolls in Belize, Turneffe Atoll is approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, and contains a network of flats, creeks, and lagoons that house a variety of marine species. You can take a water taxi or a short flight from Belize City to get to the atoll.

Punta Gorda

With local environmental NGOs such as TIDE intent on stopping illegal fishing, Punta Gorda has some of the healthiest fishing habitats. Known as a great spot for permit fishing, within two protected areas: Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Payne’s Creek National Park, Punta Gorda is the place to land the toughest of the flyfishing species. You can get to Punta Gorda by flying into the town's airport or by taking a water taxi.

Hopkins

The waters off of Hopkins on the Southern coast of Belize are ideal for an abundance of permit bonefish, tarpon, snapper, mackerel, jacks and barracuda. You can fly into Dangriga and take a taxi to Hopkins.

Placencia Peninsula

With stunning swaths of beaches to the east and rich, biodiverse mangrove lagoons to the west, there is an endless variety of fish to be had at this tourism hotspot too! You can opt for deep-sea fishing outside of the reef, trying your luck at some dorado, wahoo, and of course, the classic snapper, grouper, barracuda and more. The mangrove flats offer calm waters for permit, bonefish, and tarpon, and on a truly lucky day, you might even spot some gentle manatees. Placencia has its own airport with flights from Belize City.

Fishing licenses and regulations

Belize is a great destination for fishing, with its diverse fisheries and world-class game fishing. If you're planning to fish in Belize, it's important to familiarise yourself with the fishing regulations and licensing requirements. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the fishing licenses and regulations in Belize:

Fishing Licenses in Belize:

• Anyone between the ages of 16 and 65 requires a fishing license in Belize. Seniors over the age of 65 are exempt from this requirement.
• You can purchase a daily fishing license for BZ$20 or a weekly license for BZ$50. These can be obtained online through the Coastal Zone Management Authority's website.
• If you plan to visit Belize regularly, you can also opt for an annual license, which costs BZ$100. However, for this license, you need to apply in person at the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) or an approved distributor. A valid photo ID is required for the annual license application.
• It's important to note that fishing without a license in Belize can result in a fine of $500 or even imprisonment of up to 6 months, according to local laws.

Fishing Regulations in Belize:

• The Government of Belize has implemented specific regulations to protect popular sport fishing species, such as bonefish, permit, and tarpon. These species are mandatory catch-and-release within Belizean borders, and there are no exceptions to this rule.
• The Coastal Zone Management Act (1998) and Sport Fishing Regulations (S.I. 115 of 2009) were established to protect the fishing industry in Belize. These regulations require anyone participating in any fishing activity, including river fishing, shore fishing, or catch-and-release, to have a valid sport fishing license.
• In addition to licensing requirements, Belize has a strong focus on conservation. All Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit must be released back into the water, contributing to the country's conservation efforts.
• Some fishing lodges and resorts in Belize have also adopted catch-and-release policies for various fish species. While some fish may be kept for meals, the majority are released to support the sustainability of the fishery.

By following these licensing and regulatory guidelines, you can ensure that you're fishing responsibly and legally in Belize, contributing to the preservation of this incredible fishery for future generations.

Frequently asked questions