Deepwater Access
Deepwater bottomfish availability is directly tied to weather. Calm summer months (May–September) typically allow boats to reach the offshore banks. Rough trade wind swells in winter can close out deepwater fishing for days at a time regardless of species availability.
Post-Storm Windows
After a typhoon, reef fish migrate deep and feeding activity suppresses for 7–14 days. The return window — when pressure stabilizes and fish push back into the shallows — often produces exceptional spearfishing. Scout your entry first. The reef will have changed.
Year-to-Year Variation
All availability is approximate. El Niño and La Niña cycles, water temperature shifts, and annual weather variation can push peak windows earlier or later by several weeks. These charts reflect general patterns, not guarantees.
Spearfishing Regulations
Check current Guam DAWR regulations before every trip. No-take preserves, size limits, and seasonal closures apply to several species on this chart. Scuba spearfishing has been banned in Guam waters since March 2020.
Adapted from UOG Cooperative Extension & Outreach Guam Fishing Seasonality Chart (2023), content by Brent Tibbatts and experienced local fishers. Chamoru names sourced from UOG Extension and community verification.
Guam Fish Seasonality Guide — Full Species List
This chart shows peak and moderate fishing seasons by month for reef fish, bottomfish, and pelagic species commonly caught in Guam waters. All months listed for peak (P) and moderate (M) availability.
Reef Fish — Guam Fish Seasons
- Parrotfish (Palakse) — Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec. Good year-round in Guam.
- Surgeonfish / Doctorfish (Amali) — Good year-round; peak Mar–Sep in Guam.
- Rabbitfish (Saga) — Peak Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec in Guam.
- Goatfish (Saonggat) — Good year-round in Guam.
- Wrasse / Tusk Fish (Laggua) — Good most months in Guam.
- Squirrelfish (Adeng) — Available most months.
- Soldierfish — Moderate availability year-round in Guam.
- Damselfish (Agaga) — Year-round in Guam reefs.
- Moorish Idol (Kilu) — Year-round in Guam.
- Filefish (Palaoan) — Most months in Guam.
- Pufferfish — Present most months.
- Unicornfish (Hinanali) — Peak spring and fall in Guam.
- Triggerfish (Pakyo) — Good in Guam most months.
- Needlefish — Year-round; peak Jan–Jul in Guam.
- Halfbeak — Year-round in Guam.
- Mullet — Peak Jan–May, Sep–Dec in Guam.
Large Reef Predators — Guam Spearfishing Targets
- Bluefin Trevally (Talakitok) — Peak May–Oct in Guam; moderate Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec.
- Giant Trevally (GT / Ulua) — Peak Apr–Oct in Guam; ciguatera risk on large fish.
- Barracuda (Tipo) — Peak Feb–Jun in Guam; ciguatera risk — avoid large individuals.
- Grouper (Gata) — Peak Mar–Aug in Guam; ciguatera risk on large fish.
- Snapper, Red (Aliguan) — Good year-round; ciguatera risk on very large fish.
- Snapper, Midnight (Olulen) — Good most months in Guam.
- Snapper, Bigeye (Matababang) — Available most months.
- Emperorfish (Mafunas) — Good most months in Guam.
- Bonefish (Mafunas) — Year-round in Guam flats.
Bottomfish / Deepwater — Guam Offshore Fishing
- Ruby Snapper (Gagaope) — Best May–Sep when seas are calm in Guam.
- Pink Snapper (Gagaope Åpaka) — Best during calm summer months in Guam.
- Amberjack (Ulaula) — Peak Mar–Aug; ciguatera risk on large fish in Guam.
- Jobfish (Lahi) — Good May–Sep in Guam deepwater.
Pelagic / Open Water — Guam Blue Water Hunting
- Wahoo (Toson) — Peak Jan–Mar and Oct–Dec in Guam; excellent spearfishing target.
- Mahi Mahi / Dorado (Mahe) — Peak Apr–Sep in Guam blue water.
- Bluefin Tuna — Peak Apr–Sep in Guam offshore.
- Yellowfin Tuna — Peak May–Sep in Guam; iconic Guam spearfishing target.
- Skipjack Tuna (Bunita) — Peak Mar–Aug in Guam.
- Bigeye Scad (Atulai) — Good most months; peak Jan–Apr, Sep–Dec in Guam.
- Marlin — Present seasonally in Guam offshore waters.
- Sailfish — Occasional in Guam offshore.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing in Guam
- When is the best time to fish in Guam?
- May through September offers the best overall fishing in Guam — calm seas, active pelagics, and accessible deepwater banks. Year-round reef fishing is strong for surgeonfish, parrotfish, and trevally.
- What fish can I spearfish in Guam?
- Popular spearfishing species in Guam include bluefin trevally (talakitok), parrotfish (palakse), surgeonfish, grouper, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna. Freediving spearfishing is legal; scuba spearfishing has been banned since 2020.
- What is ciguatera and which Guam fish are affected?
- Ciguatera is a toxin that accumulates in large reef fish. In Guam, high-risk species include large barracuda, large grouper, large jacks, and amberjack. Always check the red dot markers on this chart before targeting reef predators.
- What are the fishing regulations in Guam?
- Guam DAWR enforces size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures. No-take preserves include Tumon Bay, Pati Point, Achang Reef Flat, Piti Bomb Holes, and Sasa Bay. Scuba spearfishing is banned island-wide.