On 1 November 2026 the rivers and lakes of Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and the national parks open again. Santa Cruz opened its season on 1 October and Tierra del Fuego starts on 30 October. This guide brings together the places we have visited at InterPatagonia, from north to south and on both sides of the Andes, so you can choose where to go.
Before you go: the licence
Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and the national parks share the licence: the one you buy in one jurisdiction is valid in the open waters of the others. It is sold online (in Neuquén at cazaypesca.neuquen.gob.ar, in Río Negro at permisosdepesca.com.ar) and arrives by email, so you can show it on your phone. Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego have their own licences, and Chile has its recreational fishing licence. This season's prices, province by province, are in our article on the season opening (in Spanish).
Almost everywhere fishing is catch and release, and throughout the region you must disinfect your gear before and after entering the water so as not to spread didymo algae or other invasive species.
Neuquén
- Fishing days on the Chimehuin, in Junín de los Andes: the Boca del Chimehuin is a preferential zone, fly only and catch and release.
- Fly fishing the Chimehuin, Malleo and Collón Curá rivers: three trout rivers near Junín, for wading or float trips.
- Lake Lolog, 12 km from San Martín de los Andes: trout in a large, quiet lake.
- Sport fishing in Aluminé: most rivers and lakes in the area hold trout.
- Sport fishing in Villa Pehuenia: eleven lakes to explore, many with good chances of a catch.
- Fishing on Lake Espejo, in Villa La Angostura. Very close by is the Correntoso river, another preferential zone: fly only and catch and release.
- The Limay, for anglers: corners of the great valley with brown and rainbow trout.
- Trout everywhere, in Caviahue: lagoons and streams for dry flies and nymphs.
Evening fishing on Lake Espejo, Villa La Angostura. Photo: InterPatagonia
Río Negro
- Fly fishing in Bariloche: Lake Nahuel Huapi, and fly fishing with catch and release on the Limay and the Manso.
Chubut
- Fishing on Lake Tres, near Esquel: strong strikes and catch and release.
- A fishing day on a Chilean lake: the Puelo river and the Segundo Corral area, across the border.
- Fishing in Puerto Madryn: shore fishing by the gulf.
Santa Cruz
- Fishing on Lake Strobel: far from everything, on rough roads, and highly prized by anglers.
- A day by Lake Buenos Aires, in Los Antiguos: one of the anglers' favourite spots.
- Fishing by the glacier, in El Calafate: fly fishing on Lake Roca and the Rico river.
Tierra del Fuego
The season runs from 30 October 2026 to 2 May 2027. The provincial licence is sold in shops in Río Grande, Ushuaia and Tolhuin, and from 1 March 2027 catch and release is mandatory in all the province's waters. Tierra del Fuego National Park has its own licence.
On the Chilean side
The Trancura river, near Pucón. Photo: InterPatagonia
- Fly fishing the lower Trancura, in Pucón: fast, clear water with quiet pools.
- Fishing trips in Panguipulli: lakes, rivers and streams across the whole basin.
- The roar of the Calcurrupe, in Futrono: one of the most challenging rivers for fly fishing.
- Osorno: places to fly fish: trout and salmon for experts and beginners.
- The big fish: fishing spots in the Los Lagos Region reached on foot, by road or by light aircraft.
- Salmon in Lake Rosselot, in La Junta, on the Carretera Austral.
- A trip to Lake Riesco, from Puerto Aysén.
- An anglers’ paradise: Puerto Bertrand and the source of the Baker river.
Fly fishing in the Los Lagos Region, Chile. Photo: InterPatagonia
Planning your trip
InterPatagonia lists places to stay in Junín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura, Bariloche, Esquel, El Calafate and Pucón, and more on fly fishing in this same section.
- Type of tour: Sport fishing
- Season: from 1 November in Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and the national parks; each province and each body of water has its own dates
- Tip: Buy your licence online before you go, read the rules for the place you are visiting and bring wading boots without felt soles: they are banned.