Planning
Fishing in Patagonia from Bariloche: what the trips are, when to come and what they cost
Bariloche is the easiest door into Patagonian trout fishing: a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires, a lake at the end of the street and a trophy reservoir an hour away. Here is what a fishing day with me is, and is not, so you book the right thing.
"Patagonia" covers a thousand kilometres of trout water, from the Chimehuín and the Malleo near Junín de los Andes down to the big lakes of Santa Cruz. Bariloche sits in the northern, easiest part of it: Lake Nahuel Huapi at the end of the street, the Limay leaving the lake just east of town, and Alicurá reservoir an hour and twenty minutes away on the steppe. Flights from Buenos Aires take two hours twenty, so a Patagonian fishing day fits inside a city trip without a lodge week. This page is the honest version of what I offer, because a lot of people type "Patagonia fly fishing" and mean something different.
Two kinds of Patagonia fishing
Most of what you read about Patagonia in English describes the classic programme: a lodge on a river, drift boats, dry flies, guides who row, catch and release, and a week at several hundred dollars a day per angler. That exists around Bariloche too, on the Limay and the Manso, and it is excellent. It is not what I do.
My trips are boat days on the lakes and the reservoir: a motorboat with sonar, trolling along the drop-offs and the islands, spinning when the fish are up, and a fly rod from the boat if you bring one and the wind allows. You keep fish where the rules permit, there is a shore lunch on Alicurá days, children and non-anglers are welcome, and the price is per boat, not per angler. If you want to wade a river with a dry fly and a guide who rows, book a fly-fishing outfitter. If you want a day on the water with a real chance of a big rainbow, fish for dinner and no experience required, that is me.
The waters you fish from Bariloche
| Water | Where | Open (2025/26 regulations) | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alicurá reservoir | 100 km east on Route 237, on the Limay | 1 Nov — 31 Oct, all twelve months | Deep, cold water between basalt plateaus. Rainbow trout feed around the fish-farm pens for years; fish of 3–5 kg are landed every season, and the regional press has reported a 7.2 kg rainbow. Keep limit 5 rainbows + 2 perch a day. The only water near Bariloche fished from a motorboat, with fish to keep, in winter. |
| Lake Nahuel Huapi | the lake the town sits on | 1 Nov — 1 May, plus restricted May and October | About 550 km² of glacial lake inside the national park: rainbow, brown and brook trout and landlocked salmon, two-salmonid limit, 10–20 minutes from your door. The family and single-day option. |
| Lakes Moreno and Gutiérrez | 20–25 km, inside the park | Moreno all year (release only from 30 April); Gutiérrez 1 Nov — 1 May, May and October release only | Smaller mountain lakes with strict rules: one small fish, no trolling on Gutiérrez. Pretty, calm, not where the big fish are. |
| Limay inside the park | leaves Nahuel Huapi 10 km from town | 1 Nov — 31 May | No motors, trolling banned, upper stretch fly-only and release. The classic float-trip river: outfitters' water, not mine. |
When to come
| Months | On the water | In town |
|---|---|---|
| Nov — Dec | Season opening. Cool water, fish shallow on the lake, long days. The wind rises most afternoons, so mornings are the calm water. | Spring prices, few crowds before Christmas. |
| Jan — Feb | Warm surface water pushes lake fish deep: trolling with sonar is the method. Alicurá fishes well all summer. | Argentine summer holidays: the busiest months. Book flights, lodging and boat days two to three weeks ahead. |
| Mar — Apr | Many anglers' favourite: cooling water, fish moving up again, autumn colours. Nahuel Huapi closes on 1 May. | Quiet and cheaper than summer. |
| May — Oct | Park lakes closed (May and October partly open with restrictions). Alicurá fishes all winter: cold, heavy fish deep, nobody else on the water. | Ski season at Cerro Catedral, in 2026 from 6 July to 12 October; July is the peak. |
In summer we are on the water from nine and can stay out until eight; in winter the day runs nine to five. The Patagonian wind is real: plan the important fishing for the morning and the photos for the afternoon.
What a day costs
| Trip | Price | Four people, each |
|---|---|---|
| Half day on Nahuel Huapi, morning or afternoon | USD 600 per boat, up to 4 | 150 |
| Full day on Nahuel Huapi | USD 800 per boat, up to 4 | 200 |
| Half day on Alicurá, 9–16 | USD 700 per boat, up to 4 | 175 |
| Full day on Alicurá, 9–20 | USD 900 per boat, up to 4 | 225 |
| Patagonian weekend: a day on Nahuel Huapi and a day on Alicurá | USD 1,300 for two people | 650 each |
Included: pickup and drop-off at your lodging anywhere in Bariloche, the boat with sonar and guide, all rods, reels, lures and life jackets, a shore lunch and something hot on Alicurá days, thermos and a snack on the lake, and the photos and video of the day. Not included: the personal fishing permit, the Argentine fishing license. For a non-resident it is ARS 50,000 for a day plus a 20,000 trolling supplement; I file it in your name from a photo of your passport and you pay it at cost on the day. The full tariff and who counts as a resident are in the permit article. More than four people or a company group: write and we work it out.
Getting here
Buenos Aires to Bariloche is two hours twenty in the air, with several flights a day from Aeroparque and some from Ezeiza; the airport is 14 km east of town. From Chile, Santiago flies direct in season. I collect you at your hotel or rental, so you do not need a car for the fishing. The weekend article has the Friday-to-Sunday plan, what to pack and how to take fish home.
What to bring
- Layers and a windproof shell even in January; a warm hat and gloves from May to October. Spare gloves, hats and rain jackets live in the boat.
- Polarised sunglasses and sunscreen: the Patagonian sun is strong at this latitude and the water doubles it.
- Your own rod if you like. From a boat the useful fly rod is a 6- or 7-weight with an intermediate or sinking line; spinning and trolling gear is all provided.
- A photo of your passport or DNI two days before the trip, for the permit.
What people also ask
Is Bariloche good for fly fishing?
Yes: the Limay, the Manso and the park lakes are fly water, and from my boat you can cast flies whenever the wind allows. For a dedicated wading or float-trip programme, book a fly-fishing outfitter; I am happy to tell you which water suits which month.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
On Alicurá, up to 5 rainbow trout and 2 perch per angler per day, all year; brown trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon are released. On Nahuel Huapi in season, 2 salmonids. Moreno is release only from 30 April, and live bait is banned everywhere in Patagonia.
Do I need my own gear or experience?
No. Rods, reels, lures and life jackets are in the boat, and most of my guests have never trolled before. Bring your own tackle only if you prefer it.
Is a boat day suitable for children and non-anglers?
Yes, the half day on Nahuel Huapi especially: the lake is at the door, the boat seats four comfortably and the price is per boat, so a family pays the same as four anglers.
Do I need a fishing license in Argentina?
Yes. The permit is personal and compulsory on every water, and inspectors check it, especially on Alicurá. One permit covers Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and the national parks. I arrange it; you pay the tariff at cost.
How far ahead should I book?
Two to three weeks for January, February and July; a few days the rest of the year. Write on WhatsApp or Telegram with your dates and how many you are.
Seasons checked on 8 October 2026 against the 2025/26 regulations; prices are per boat in US dollars for the 2026/27 season. The regulations and the permit tariff are reissued for 1 November and I update this page when they are published.
Sources
Reglamento de Pesca Deportiva Continental Patagónico 2025/2026, Río Negro and National Parks annexes: reglamentodepesca.org.ar · Permit tariff and sales: permisosdepesca.com.ar · Cerro Catedral 2026 season dates: ANBariloche, 6 July and 18 September 2026.