Fish
Seasonality
Chart

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.