Fishing Information

Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Fishing Guide.

 

A Nassau Grouper with dark and light green striped scales rests on the gray rocky sea bottom.

NPS photo

 

Species	Open	Closed	Description
Nassau & Goliath Groupers	Prohibited	All year	NPS &Territorial waters
Blue Runner,Mackerel, Tuna & Bonitos (permit required)	January 1 - September 30	October 1 - December 31	Only when on Cabritte Horn fishing moorings
Bait fish (permit required)	Hurricane Hole		3 gallons per person per day
Conch	November 1– May 31 per year		Minimum size 9" long. Max allowed is two per person per day
Whelk	October - March 31 per year		Minimum size 2-7/16" diameter. Max allowed is 1 gallon per person per day in shells.
Caribbean Spiny Lobster	All Year		Minimum size 3.5" carapace, No females with eggs, by hand or snare only, Max allowed 2 per person per day.
Blackfin, Black, Vermilion, & Silk Snapper	January 1 - September 30	October 1 - December 31	NPS &Territorial waters
Yellowedge, yellowfin, & Tiger Groupers	May 1 - January 31	February 1 - April 30	NPS & Territorial waters
Mutton & Lane Snappers	July 1 - March 31	April 1 - June 30	NPS &Territorial waters
Tarpon & bonefishing			Restricted to Catch & Release with hook and line only

 

Prohibited

• Fishing or take of any kind in the Coral Reef National Monument
• Striking coral, damage to the mangroves, sea grass or any natural resources.
• Taking of Nassau Grouper and or Goliath Grouper
• Spear fishing. Spear fishing equipment must be broken down for transit through NPS or Monument waters.
• Fishing from any moorings except Cabritte Horn designated fishing moorings
• Fishing within Boat Exclusion areas or mooring fields.
• Fishing between 8:00am and 5:00 pm at the NPS Redhook dock, Cruz Bay finger pier or bulkhead.
• Commercial fishing, including day charters.
• Fish traps of non-traditional West Indian design. Fish traps must be of traditional West Indian design, with biodegradable door, and be tagged and registered in accordance with Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) policy.
• Use of soldier/hermit crabs and undersized, or out of season, whelks for bait.

Permits for the Cabritte Horn yellow fishing moorings can applied for at the National Park Service offices in Cruz Bay, or by writing the park at:

Virgin Islands National Park

Attn: Special Use Permits

1300 Cruz Bay Creek

St. John, VI 00830

Downloads

NPS & VICR Fishing Guide

 

Please note: if heading to Coral Reef National Monument Fishing or take of any kind is prohibited, except by NPS issued permit for use only on designated fishing moorings.