Costa Rica Catch and Release Rules — What Anglers Must Know

Costa Rica Fishing CompanyOctober 6, 2026

Why Costa Rica Protects Its Sport Fish

Sport fishing is a major part of Costa Rica's tourism, and the country protects the fish that make it world-class. Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Law (Law 8436, Article 76), sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin and tarpon are declared species of tourist and sport-fishing interest. INCOPESCA, the national fisheries institute, later added roosterfish to that group.

For visiting anglers the practical result is simple: the most iconic fish go back into the water, and the rest of the rules are easy to follow when you fish with a licensed charter. This guide summarizes the main points; it is not legal advice, and regulations can change, so INCOPESCA has the final word.

Sailfish and Marlin: Always Released in the Water

Billfish — sailfish and marlin — may not be lifted on board or handled out of the water, and gaffs may not be used to bring them alongside (INCOPESCA agreement AJDIP 280-2014). The fish is released next to the boat: the crew removes the hook or cuts the leader as close to it as possible and lets the fish swim off.

That also means no on-board photos holding a sailfish or marlin, except for world-record catches or tournaments approved by INCOPESCA. You still get your photos: the crew takes them with the fish in the water, right beside the boat.

Roosterfish and Tarpon

Roosterfish and tarpon are also species of sport-fishing interest. On the Pacific coast, roosterfish are released by standard practice across the charter industry — it isn't written as a strict rule the way billfish handling is, but it is how roosterfish stay plentiful along the Quepos and Manuel Antonio coast. Tarpon is a Caribbean-side species, so you won't target it from Quepos.

What You Can Keep

Species such as yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo and snapper can be kept for your own table. The limit is five fish per trip landed for personal consumption or taxidermy (Executive Decree 36782, Article 68), and catch from sport or tourist fishing can never be sold. On our charters the crew cleans and fillets what you keep at the end of the trip.

Circle Hooks and Careful Handling

When marlin, sailfish or swordfish are targeted with live or dead natural bait, circle hooks are mandatory (INCOPESCA agreement AJDIP 439-2003). Circle hooks usually catch in the corner of the mouth instead of deep in the throat, which makes the release faster and safer for the fish. For every species, good practice is to keep fights short, handle fish with wet hands and let them recover in the water before releasing them.

Fishing Licenses

Everyone fishing from a sport-fishing boat in Costa Rica needs an INCOPESCA fishing permit, and the boat itself must hold a sport-fishing license. With Costa Rica Fishing Company you don't have to arrange anything: the license is included in every charter and covers everyone on board. Our fishing license guide explains the details.

How We Release Fish on Our Charters

On every trip our crew follows the same routine: billfish stay in the water, the hook is removed or the leader is cut close, and the fish is held facing into the current until it swims away strongly. If a fish has swallowed the hook, the line is cut and the hook is left in place rather than forced out. You get your photos boatside, and the fish gets back to the reef or the blue water to fight another day.

The Rules at a Glance

Here are the key rules, at a glance:

• Sailfish and marlin: released alive, never lifted on board
• Roosterfish: released by standard practice
• Keepers: tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, snapper — up to 5 per trip
• Sport catch can never be sold
• Circle hooks required with natural bait for billfish
• INCOPESCA permit required — included in our charters

More local fishing guides on our partner site: manuelantoniodeepseafishing.com

• Catch and Release
• Fishing Regulations
• INCOPESCA
• Billfish
• Quepos
• Sport Fishing