Oceania
Fishing in
Antarctica 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Antarctica-75.25°, 0.00°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- Via CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) and expedition cruise providers.
- Cost
- Included in the expedition price (expeditions from 10,000 EUR!). Separate fishing permits extremely limited.
- Validity
- For the duration of the expedition
- Available online?
- No
Antarctica is the MOST EXTREME FISHING DESTINATION IN THE WORLD! No country owns it (Antarctic Treaty 1959). Fishing is strictly regulated by CCAMLR. Only possible on expedition cruises or from research stations. Antarctic icefish, Patagonian toothfish and krill. Temperatures down to -89°C! The ultimate adventure for every angler.
Book fishing tours in Antarctica
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- CCAMLR regulates everything. Season: December-February (Antarctic summer, 24h daylight!).
- Catch limits
- EXTREMELY strict! CCAMLR quotas. Patagonian toothfish: Strictly limited (overfishing!).
- Prohibited methods
- Only certain methods allowed. Bottom trawling banned since 2006. IUU fishing (illegal) is the biggest problem.
- Catch & Release
- Recommended where possible. Scientific fishing takes priority.
Patagonian toothfish (sold as 'Chilean Sea Bass') is so sought after that illegal fishing is a huge problem. CCAMLR fights against it. A single fish can be worth 100+ USD!
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Südlicher Ozean (Zirkumpolarstrom)
- —Antarktische Peninsula (Zentrum touristischer Aktivitäten)
- —Ross-Sea (Streng geschütztes Ökosystem)
- —Südgeorgien (Reich an Eisfischen and Zahnfisch)
- —Weddell-Sea (Bekannt für extremes Packeis)
Target fish
Freshwater
No freshwater waters (everything frozen or glacier ice).
Saltwater
Southern Ocean — the coldest, stormiest and most fish-rich sea in the world! Nutrient-rich due to upwelling.
Starting from50,000 EUR / day
Best season: December-February ONLY season! (Antarctic summer). 24 hours daylight. Temperatures: -10 to +5°C.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Expedition providers supply special polar equipment. Heavy saltwater gear for extreme cold. Gloves that work at -20°C!
- Fishing guides
- ONLY as part of an expedition cruise (10,000-50,000 EUR!) or research station (not public). No individual fishing possible!
- Transport
- Expedition ship from Ushuaia (Argentina) — 2 days Drake Passage (stormiest sea in the world!). Or flight from Punta Arenas (Chile) to King George Island.
- Safety
- MOST EXTREME CONDITIONS ON EARTH! Cold down to -89°C (record). Drake Passage: Waves up to 15m. Icebergs. No rescue service! Seasickness guaranteed. Only for absolutely experienced, healthy adventurers.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Antarctic Treaty: No state owns Antarctica. Environmental protection ABSOLUTE. Take nothing, leave nothing. Biosecurity check before landing.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
Included in expedition price (10,000-50,000 EUR).
Guide prices
Expedition cruise: 10,000-50,000 EUR for 10-20 days. The most expensive fishing destination in the world!
Daily budget
1,000-5,000 EUR/day (expedition). Budget options do NOT exist.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Antarctica
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Antarctica →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Antarctica with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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