Best Fishing Spots & Seasons in Belize (Complete Guide)
There are some incredible fishing opportunities in the predominantly English-speaking country of Belize. This gorgeous Central American country offers world-class saltwater fishing but also some dynamite freshwater action as well.
The best fishing spots in Belize are Ambergris Cate, Turneffe Atoll, Caye Caulker, Punta Gorda, Bulkhead Reef, Laguna De Boca, and Abalone Caye. The best fishing seasons in Belize are May through July.
Whether you’re fishing in mangroves, lagoons, the deep blue sea, or inland you will find that there is plenty of fish off the coast of this nation. Let’s see what all the hype is about and explore the diversity and location of a few fish species found in her glistening waters.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Belize
If you want to catch fish in this country, I recommend booking a fishing charter with one of the following charters. These have all gotten great reviews from anglers and clients. If you click on the respective hyperlink below, you’ll be taken to that charter’s profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, view photos, and book your charter for the lowest prices anywhere.
- Uprising Tours Fishing (San Pedro, Belize)
- Nano Guerrero (San Pedro, Belize)
- Reel, Grill & Chill Belize (San Pedro, Belize)
- Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion (San Pedro, Belize)
- Waata Daag Fishing Adventures (Placencia, Belize)
- Placencia Fishing Charters (Placencia, Belize)
- Belize Tarpon Fly (Sarteneja, Belize)
Saltwater Hot Spots (Belize)
Ambergris Caye
Location: Island in Belize (81.2 km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Note: Bonefish, tarpon, and permit are catch-and-release ONLY.
Species in this location include: Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Jack Crevalle, Snook, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Barracuda, Kingfish, Amberjack, Sailfish, Wahoo, Queen Snapper, Swordfish
Turneffe Atoll
Location: SE of Ambergris Caye (51.8km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Bonefish, Permit, Horse eyed Jack, Jack Crevalle, Snapper, Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook
Fishing tips: Anglers typically use heavily weighted fly and fast sinking lines.
Caye Caulker
Location: Small island off the coast of Belize (51.km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Permit, Barracuda, Jack Crevalle, Bonefish, Tarpon
Punta Gorda
Location: Village in Belize (265.2km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Snook, Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit
Hopkins
Location: Village in Belize (130.6km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Goliath Grouper, Permit (C&R), Snapper, Tarpon (C&R), Bonefish (C&R)
Placencia
Location: Village in Belize (180 km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Permit (C&R), Bonefish (C&R), Tarpon (C&R), Snapper, Tuna, Wahoo, Snook, Mahi Mahi (Dolphin), Amberjack, Grouper, Sailfish, Marlin, Jack Crevalle
Abalone Caye, Port of Hondurus Marine Reserve
Location: Toledo District Belize (234.2km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Goliath grouper, Silk snapper, Mutton snapper, Snook, Dog Snapper
Laguna De Boca
Location: Belize, Belize (116.1km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Crevalle Jack, Mangrove Snapper, Permit (C&R), Garfish, King Mackerel, Tarpon (C&R), Great Barracuda, Yellowtail Snapper
Fishing Tips: Anglers report using saltwater flies to catch Permit fish.
Bulkhead Reef
Location: Belize, Belize (14.5km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Bonefish (catch & release), Crevalle Jack, Tarpon (catch & release), Great Barracuda, Cobia, Red snapper
Additional tips: Fly fishing common in this area.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Best Season to fish in Belize
Belize is one of those top fishing locations where you can fish all year round; however, locals say the “best” time to fish is in May, June, and July. Based on the migration and spawning times, you will see better results. Remember to pay close attention to the migration and spawning patterns of the species of fish your after.
Belize supports and enforces wildlife and fishery laws, so check out the local fishing regulations and fishing license requirements. Some local charters recommend you book at least a year in advance (yikes), but the cold fronts can slide through the country and disturb your dream of catching a tarpon.
Let’s face it, no one can predict the weather. Just be mindful of anything that can ruin your vacation. Local anglers suggest using sunscreen as some fishing vessels don’t have tops on them for shade.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th, with the Rainy Season from September to October. In the past, there have been storms that have wreaked havoc on this beautiful country, but don’t let that deter you from booking your next memory maker. You have Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish available May through the early part of September.
January is the dry season. Bonefish, Reef fish and Tarpon
February Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Wahoo, and Reef fish. Fishing on the flats is recommended during this time, and most fish will be catch and release.
March windy this month Reef fish, Tarpon, Permit, Bone Fish, Wahoo
April fishing in the flats is popular this month as it’s the start of the prime flat fishing season. Permit, Reef fish, Bonefish, Tarpon, King Mackerel
May Tarpon will be near the reefs and mangroves, Reef Fish, Bone Fish
June Snappers. Reef fish, Tarpon, Bonefish
July lobster season this month Larger Permit, Larger Tarpon, Bonefish fishing the flats are popular
August Larger Permit, Larger Tarpon, Bonefish
September Larger Permit, Larger Tarpon, Bonefish
October Jack Crevalle, Larger Permit, Larger Tarpon, Snook near the flats
November Bonefish, Large Wahoo Jack Crevalle, Marlin, Tuna Tarpon and reef fish-this month is famous for deep-sea fishers
December Groupers, Reef fish, Jack Crevalle, Lady Fish, Snappers, Barracuda-busy time of year as tourism is at its peak this month
Top 10 Species Targeted in Belize
Permit
Best spots: The flats around Placencia or near a lagoon
Tips & tactics: Jigs, Live bait, lures, fly fishing
Best Season(s): May, June, July can be found year-round in smaller sizes; the best Permit fishing can be in fall without a cold front
Tarpon
Best spots: The flats near Glovers Reef found near creeks, channels, lagoons & rivers around the country of Belize
Tips & tactics: 11-12 weight fly rod/intermediate fly line
Best Season(s): May-August a migratory fish
Bonefish
Best spots: flats of Turneffe Atoll
Tips & tactics: Live shrimp bait crabs best lures are skimmer jigs 1/8 or ¼ ounce heads should be horizontal flat to support the hook
Best Season(s): May-October allowed Season is April thru October
Mahi Mahi (Dolphin)
Best spots: Placencia, San Pedro, Belize City
Tips & tactics: lures, trolling live bait, plastic jigs (soft)
Best Season(s): excellent fishing in June July good fishing April, May, August, Sept, Oct
Marlin (blue and white)
Best spots: outer reefs Ambergris Caye deep sea fishing
Tips & tactics: Natural baits Mackerel, Mullet, Ballyhoo, lures
Best Season(s): January-June November-December
Snapper (Cubera)
Best spots: Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Placencia
Tips & tactics: Larger iron jigs live bait (Tuna)
Best Season(s): all year round
Grouper (Gag)
Best spots: Ambergris Caye
Tips & tactics: best to bottom fish anglers have used fish finders trolling diving plugs in shallow reef has good results
Best Season(s): Feb March December best months
Tuna (Yellowfin)
Best spots: Deep sea Punta Gorda, San Pedro, Placencia
Tips & tactics: Anglers report using live bait with good results
Best Season(s): all year round
Barracuda
Best spots: deep water, reef fishing, Punta Ycacos Lagoon
Tips & tactics: Fly-fishing Deep-Sea Spearfishing
Best Season(s): available throughout the year, the best time is January to December
Wahoo
Best spots: Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef, Glovers reef
Tips & tactics: troll lures at 14, 16, 20 knots
Best Season(s): Excellent January- March November-December Good April-October
Freshwater Hot Spots (Belize)
Rio Grande River
Location: starts from the Toledo district of Belize (234.2 km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Bonefish (catch & release), Snapper, Tarpon-river mouth (catch & release), Crevalle Jack, Snook, Permit (Catch and release)
Fishing tips: Fish for Tarpon with trolling lures, live bait, flies, or jigs. This is a brackish water fishery.
Belize River
Location: East of San Ignacio, Belize (119 km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Firemouth cichlid, Blue-eyed cichlid, Bay Snook, Jack Dempsey, Blackbelt cichlid, Redhead cichlid, Yellow Jacket cichlid, Mangrove snapper
Manatee River
Location: (85.9 km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Cubera snapper (locals call it river rhino), Crevalle Jack, Tarpon (catch & release), Bonefish (catch & release), Snook, Yucatan Goby
Punta Negra Lake
Location: (143km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Snook, Tarpon
Additional tips: Mangrove trees surround the lake. Spin casting and fly fishing all fish caught in the lake are catch and release only.
Sibun River
Location: (130.1 km from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport-BZE)
Species in this location include: Belize Anchovy, Mayan catfish, Southern Sheep’s head, Lyre Goby, Yucatan Goby, Northern Checkmark cichlid
Should you Book a Fishing Charter in Belize?
I strongly recommend looking into booking a fishing guide in Belize. You may have kicked around the idea of fishing without the assistance of a local captain or fisherman. Your needs vary, so just knowing you have options can help you make the most out of your vacation. If you have considered hiring an experienced captain, it is always a good idea to check out reviews and proximity to your lodging.
A common theme among anglers that embark on a fishing charter is peace of mind. Many have developed lasting friendships with locals, a nice perk when returning to the island. Experienced anglers will tell you how valuable having knowledge of the area is—you want the most experience for your money.
With COVID, many have experienced financial setbacks—maybe this trip is just a quick getaway, and you don’t want to break the bank since some guides charge upwards of $500 per person for an 8hr excursion. Don’t get too discouraged just yet consider taking a half-day trip instead or explore charters who are willing to work with you.
Having a guide can be extremely helpful when wanting to gain insight into the area without the stress of navigating in an unknown body of water. Sometimes fishing tips alone are worth their weight in gold. Having a mutual understanding of what you want to fish for can assist your local captain with making the best use of your time.
Hiring someone to take you around in their “back yard” can be rewarding and increase your anglers network. How much are you willing to pay for good information? If your time is money? If you want the most experience for your money, chartering a fishing boat may be for you.
Most captains speak English, and the local currency is the Belize dollar. US dollars are accepted country-wide, but it’s always good to have smaller denominations if you decide not to exchange currency. The consensus from local charter reviews is the guide service is worth the money.
Anglers have reported hiring highly experienced guides that put them on fish right away until the tour was over—making memories—is ALWAYS worth the money. If you’re into fly fishing, consider hooking up with a local guide to navigate the rather complex mangroves.
Speaking of service if you’re US, Canada, or Belize military, there are various discounts with local hotels & resorts through an online search. You may even find a charter that offers discounts to servicemembers (Thank you all for your service!) Another good value is that they provide the rods, reels, tackle, and fly fishing gear on most charters.
With fishing year-round in Belize, you have options with your travel, but keep an eye open for the busier months in high Season ( best time to visit Late November -Mid April); you may find the charters are busier.
If you plan to do a lot of fishing, it may be good to book lodging near the flats to minimize your travel time. So off you go!—What are you waiting for?-Your anglers paradise awaits -don’t forget to pack your SPF, sense of humor, and a huge smile!
