Partial rule reference. This page cannot determine whether your catch is legal to keep. Verify licenses, size and bag limits, gear, protected areas, and current closure notices before fishing.
Sources reviewed: 5 September 2026. No live regulation feed.
Jurisdiction matters
Select the waters you will actually fish. A launch, municipality, or tide station does not establish the jurisdiction of your fishing position. Federal rules below are not automatically Puerto Rico territorial or freshwater rules.
DRNA: territorial and freshwater regulation reference · NOAA: Puerto Rico management actions
DRNA’s posted Regulation 7949 is dated 2010. Selected territorial and freshwater rules are encoded here where directly supported, and reviewed administrative-order notes are shown separately. Confirm later amendments, emergency measures and current license requirements with DRNA.
Species prohibitions and recurring closures
An unlisted species or a date outside a listed closure is not permission to fish. Seasonal possession exceptions for fish harvested and landed ashore before the closure are detailed in the linked law.
Nassau grouper
PROTECTED RELEASE ONLY
Territorial and federal marine waters
Protected or release-only reference.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Nassau grouper — Epinephelus striatus
Blue, midnight and rainbow parrotfish
PROHIBITED
Federal waters only
Harvest/possession prohibition reference.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Blue parrotfish — Scarus coeruleus
- Midnight parrotfish — Scarus coelestinus
- Rainbow parrotfish — Scarus guacamaia
Queen conch
PROHIBITED
Federal waters only
Harvest/possession prohibition reference.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Queen conch — Aliger gigas
Giant manta, spotted eagle ray and southern stingray
PROHIBITED
Federal waters only
Harvest/possession prohibition reference.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Giant manta — Mobula birostris
- Spotted eagle ray — Aetobatus narinari
- Southern stingray — Hypanus americanus
Black, red, tiger, yellowedge and yellowfin groupers
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Federal waters only
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: 2, 3, 4
Species identities
- Black grouper — Mycteroperca bonaci
- Red grouper — Epinephelus morio
- Tiger grouper — Mycteroperca tigris
- Yellowedge grouper — Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
- Yellowfin grouper — Mycteroperca venenosa
Red hind — western federal waters only
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Federal waters only
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: 1, 2, 12
Applies west of 67°10′ W longitude. Confirm your position; this is not an island-wide closure.
Species identities
- Red hind — Epinephelus guttatus
Black, blackfin, silk and vermilion snappers
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Federal waters only
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: 10, 11, 12
Species identities
- Black snapper — Apsilus dentatus
- Blackfin snapper — Lutjanus buccanella
- Silk snapper — Lutjanus vivanus
- Vermilion snapper — Rhomboplites aurorubens
Lane and mutton snappers
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Federal waters only
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Do not target or possess; release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: 4, 5, 6
Species identities
- Lane snapper — Lutjanus synagris
- Mutton snapper — Lutjanus analis
Goliath grouper
PROTECTED RELEASE ONLY
Territorial and federal marine waters
Protected or release-only reference.
Harvest/possession prohibited all year. Release incidental catches promptly with minimal harm.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Goliath grouper — Epinephelus itajara
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 794950 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico
Red hind — Puerto Rico territorial waters
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Closed December 1 through February 28 in Puerto Rico waters. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Recurring closure: 12-01–02-28
Species identities
- Red hind — Epinephelus guttatus
Yellowfin grouper — Puerto Rico territorial waters
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Closed February 1 through April 30 in Puerto Rico waters. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Recurring closure: 2, 3, 4
Species identities
- Yellowfin grouper — Mycteroperca venenosa
Mutton snapper — Puerto Rico territorial waters
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Closed April 1 through May 31 in Puerto Rico territorial waters. The federal closure for mutton and lane snapper runs April 1 through June 30.
Recurring closure: 04-01–05-31
Species identities
- Mutton snapper — Lutjanus analis
Blackfin snapper — Puerto Rico territorial waters
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Closed October 1 through December 31 for the regulated fishery. Regulation 7949 §8.40 allows only incidental catch during the closure: up to 5 fish per fisher per day or 10 per vessel, whichever is less, for personal consumption only.
Recurring closure: 10, 11, 12
Species identities
- Blackfin snapper — Lutjanus buccanella
Silk snapper — Puerto Rico territorial waters
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Closed October 1 through December 31 for the regulated fishery. Regulation 7949 §8.40 allows only incidental catch during the closure: up to 5 fish per fisher per day or 10 per vessel, whichever is less, for personal consumption only.
Recurring closure: 10, 11, 12
Species identities
- Silk snapper — Lutjanus vivanus
Queen conch — Puerto Rico territorial waters
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Recurring closure/reference currently encoded.
Closed August 1 through October 31 in Puerto Rico waters. Federal harvest around Puerto Rico is prohibited all year.
Recurring closure: 8, 9, 10
Species identities
- Queen conch — Aliger gigas
Blue land crab / juey terrestre
OPERATIONALLY UNCLEAR
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Written requirement exists, but current public implementation/application path was not verified.
Closed July 15 through October 15. Capture and possession are prohibited year-round in DRNA protected natural areas. Regulation 7949 and DRNA educational material state that recreational capture requires a permit, but the current public recreational application/purchase path was not verified in DRNA’s forms catalog; confirm directly with DRNA before harvesting.
Recurring closure: 07-15–10-15
Species identities
- Blue land crab — Cardisoma guanhumi
DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 7949 (PDF)DRNA — Juey Común: regulaciones y veda en Puerto RicoDRNA — Public forms catalogDRNA — VS-08 live Juey Común import/sale application
Tarpon — release only
PROTECTED RELEASE ONLY
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Protected or release-only reference.
Puerto Rico territorial rule: release-only or prohibited as listed by DRNA. Do not retain.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Atlantic tarpon — Megalops atlanticus
Bonefish — release only
PROTECTED RELEASE ONLY
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Protected or release-only reference.
Puerto Rico territorial rule: release-only or prohibited as listed by DRNA. Do not retain.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Bonefish — Albula vulpes
Permit — release only
PROTECTED RELEASE ONLY
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Protected or release-only reference.
Puerto Rico territorial rule: release-only or prohibited as listed by DRNA. Do not retain.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Permit — Trachinotus falcatus
Palometa — release only
PROTECTED RELEASE ONLY
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Protected or release-only reference.
Puerto Rico territorial rule: release-only or prohibited as listed by DRNA. Do not retain.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Palometa pompano — Trachinotus goodei
Nurse shark — prohibited
PROHIBITED
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Harvest/possession prohibition reference.
Puerto Rico territorial rule: release-only or prohibited as listed by DRNA. Do not retain.
Recurring closure: all year
Species identities
- Nurse shark — Ginglymostoma cirratum
Current rule-status notices
These notices distinguish written current rules from proposed changes and operational uncertainty. Proposed changes are never treated as final rules.
Juey Común recreational permit — operational status unclear
OPERATIONALLY UNCLEAR
Written DRNA material says a recreational permit is required, but this review did not locate a current public recreational application or purchase path. The public Juey-specific VS-08 form concerns importation/sale of live crabs, not ordinary recreational capture. Confirm directly with DRNA before harvesting.
DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 7949 (PDF)DRNA — Juey Común: regulaciones y veda en Puerto RicoDRNA — Public forms catalogDRNA — VS-08 live Juey Común import/sale application
Rainbow runner Amendment 4 — proposed federal change
PROPOSED CHANGE
NOAA’s Amendment 4 is still listed as a proposed rule. It would reclassify rainbow runner from reef fish to pelagic fish and remove it from certain reef-fish constraints. Do not apply the proposed treatment until a final rule becomes effective.
NOAA Fisheries — Proposed Amendment 4, Rainbow Runner Reclassification
Reviewed administrative-order notes
These notes identify later DRNA actions that can change or supersede older rules. They are not a complete archive and do not authorize retention.
DRNA Administrative Order 2024-02 — Cartucho and Muniama de Afuera
This order repealed DRNA Administrative Order 2023-07, which had imposed a June 1–August 31 closure for these two deepwater snapper species. Order 2024-02 instead establishes a special permit process for commercial fishing and states that recreational fishing must follow the applicable regulated gear. Do not treat the repealed 2023 closure as current.
Signed 2 May 2024; effective 30 days after publication as specified in the order.
Species identities
- Queen snapper — Etelis oculatus
- Wenchman — Pristipomoides aquilonaris
DRNA — Orden Administrativa 2024-02 (Cartucho y Muniama de Afuera)
Selected recreational size and bag limits
Entries are scoped to Puerto Rico territorial waters, freshwater, or federal waters as labeled. They do not override protected-species rules, seasonal closures, administrative orders, accountability measures, HMS requirements or other restrictions.
Yellowtail snapper — federal recreational limits
Federal waters only
Size rule: 12 in total length minimum
Daily bag: Included in the 5 fish per person per day combined grouper/parrotfish/snapper bag; if 3 or more persons are aboard, 15 fish per vessel per day combined.
Protected species and seasonal closures can reduce the allowable take to zero. This entry does not override closures or accountability measures.
Species identities
- Yellowtail snapper — Ocyurus chrysurus
50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.441(a)(1)50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.444(a)(1)
Dolphinfish / mahi-mahi — federal recreational limits
Federal waters only
Size rule: 24 in fork length minimum
Daily bag: 5 per person per day, not to exceed 15 per vessel per day, whichever is less.
Applies in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. Check current accountability closures and HMS requirements when applicable.
Species identities
- Mahi-mahi — Coryphaena hippurus
50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.441(b)(1)50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.444(b)(1)
Wahoo — federal recreational limits
Federal waters only
Size rule: 32 in fork length minimum
Daily bag: 5 per person per day, not to exceed 10 per vessel per day, whichever is less.
Applies in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. Check current accountability closures before fishing.
Species identities
- Wahoo — Acanthocybium solandri
50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.441(b)(2)50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.444(b)(2)
Caribbean spiny lobster — federal recreational limits
Federal waters only
Size rule: 3.5 in carapace length minimum
Daily bag: 3 per person per day, not to exceed 10 per vessel per day, whichever is less.
Egg-bearing spiny lobster must be returned unharmed. Other federal harvest and landing restrictions also apply.
Species identities
- Caribbean spiny lobster — Panulirus argus
50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.441(c)50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.444(c)50 CFR 622, Subpart S — Puerto Rico § 622.445(c)
Common snook — Puerto Rico size rule
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 22–38 in fork length retention slot
22–38 in fork length slot; fish over 38 in do not meet the listed retention size. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Species identities
- Common snook — Centropomus undecimalis
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Appendix 5
White grunt — Puerto Rico minimum size
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 8 in fork length minimum
8 in fork length minimum. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Species identities
- White grunt — Haemulon plumierii
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Appendix 5
Yellowtail snapper — Puerto Rico minimum size
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 10.5 in fork length minimum
10.5 in fork length minimum. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Species identities
- Yellowtail snapper — Ocyurus chrysurus
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Appendix 5
King mackerel — Puerto Rico minimum size
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 20 in fork length minimum
20 in fork length minimum. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Species identities
- King mackerel — Scomberomorus cavalla
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Appendix 5
Cero — Puerto Rico minimum size
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 16 in fork length minimum
16 in fork length minimum. Verify current DRNA orders before fishing.
Species identities
- Cero — Scomberomorus regalis
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-size-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Appendix 5
Queen conch — Puerto Rico daily quota
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Daily bag: 3 per person per day / 12 per vessel per day
Puerto Rico territorial quota from DRNA quick guide. Seasonal closures, size rules, HMS requirements, and later orders may also apply.
Species identities
- Queen conch — Aliger gigas
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-daily-quota-table
Mahi-mahi — Puerto Rico daily quota
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Daily bag: 10 per person per day / 30 per vessel per day
Puerto Rico territorial quota from DRNA quick guide. Seasonal closures, size rules, HMS requirements, and later orders may also apply.
Species identities
- Mahi-mahi — Coryphaena hippurus
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-daily-quota-table
Wahoo — Puerto Rico daily quota
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Daily bag: 5 per person per day / 10 per vessel per day
Puerto Rico territorial quota from DRNA quick guide. Seasonal closures, size rules, HMS requirements, and later orders may also apply.
Species identities
- Wahoo — Acanthocybium solandri
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-daily-quota-table
Yellowfin tuna — Puerto Rico daily quota
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Daily bag: 3 per person per day
Puerto Rico territorial quota from DRNA quick guide. Seasonal closures, size rules, HMS requirements, and later orders may also apply.
Species identities
- Yellowfin tuna — Thunnus albacares
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-daily-quota-table
Largemouth bass — Puerto Rico freshwater limits
Puerto Rico freshwater
Size rule: 12 in total length minimum
Daily bag: 10 per person per day
DRNA quick-guide freshwater baseline. Reservoir-specific administrative orders can change quotas or sizes; verify the current reservoir rule before fishing.
Species identities
- Largemouth bass — Micropterus nigricans
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Article 23 / Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Article 23 / Appendix 5
Peacock bass — Puerto Rico freshwater limits
Puerto Rico freshwater
Size rule: 12 in total length minimum
Daily bag: 8 per person per day
DRNA quick-guide freshwater baseline. Reservoir-specific administrative orders can change quotas or sizes; verify the current reservoir rule before fishing.
Species identities
- Butterfly peacock bass — Cichla ocellaris
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Article 23 / Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Article 23 / Appendix 5
Mountain mullet / dajao — Puerto Rico daily quota
Puerto Rico freshwater
Daily bag: 5 per person per day
DRNA quick-guide freshwater baseline. Reservoir-specific administrative orders can change quotas or sizes; verify the current reservoir rule before fishing.
Species identities
- Mountain mullet — Dajaus monticola
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Article 23 / Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Article 23 / Appendix 5
Bigmouth sleeper / guabina — Puerto Rico daily quota
Puerto Rico freshwater
Daily bag: 5 per person per day
DRNA quick-guide freshwater baseline. Reservoir-specific administrative orders can change quotas or sizes; verify the current reservoir rule before fishing.
Species identities
- Bigmouth sleeper — Gobiomorus dormitor
DRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Guía rápida / Resumen del Reglamento 7949 — Article 23 / Appendix 5DRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — quick-guide-freshwater-tableDRNA — Reglamento 7949 (2010) — Article 23 / Appendix 5
Caribbean spiny lobster — Puerto Rico territorial waters
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 3.5 in carapace length minimum
Regulation 7949 § 8.15. Undersized lobster must be released immediately; separate rules prohibit egg-bearing lobster and certain gear.
Species identities
- Caribbean spiny lobster — Panulirus argus
Blue land crab / juey de tierra — Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 2.5 in carapace width minimum
Current DRNA Juey Común guidance confirms a 2.5 in minimum carapace width, recreational permit requirement, the recurring July 15–October 15 closure, and year-round capture/possession prohibition in DRNA protected natural areas. Destructive digging tools are prohibited.
Species identities
- Blue land crab — Cardisoma guanhumi
DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 7949 (PDF) — 8.19DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 7949 (PDF) — 8.21DRNA — Juey Común: regulaciones y veda en Puerto Rico — 8.19DRNA — Juey Común: regulaciones y veda en Puerto Rico — 8.21
Queen conch — Puerto Rico territorial waters
Puerto Rico territorial waters
Size rule: 9 in shell length minimum OR at least 3/8 in lip thickness
Regulation 7949 §§ 8.22–8.23. The shell-length/lip-thickness rule is separate from the August 1–October 31 territorial closure and the federal prohibition around Puerto Rico.
Species identities
- Queen conch — Aliger gigas
DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 7949 (PDF) — 8.22DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 7949 (PDF) — 8.23
Check restricted areas separately
These areas are not evaluated against your position by this app. Consult the legal boundary coordinates; the species filter does not remove area restrictions.
Abrir La Sierra Bank
All fishing closed December–February, including February 29. Pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets and trammel nets prohibited year-round.
Tourmaline Bank
Federal portion: all fishing closed December–February, including February 29. The same year-round gear prohibitions as Abrir La Sierra apply.
Bajo de Sico
Federal portion: reef-fish fishing and possession closed October–March. Fishing-vessel anchoring and the listed gear are prohibited year-round.
Reef fish and offshore trips
Federal reef-fish vessels must carry a descending device ready for use. Tuna, billfish, swordfish and sharks can have additional HMS requirements; their absence from this short list does not establish permission to keep them.
Descending-device requirements