Fishing in Chubut

The Chubut province of Argentina stretches from the towering Andes to the windswept Atlantic coast, between Rió Negro in the north, Santa Cruz in the south. This part of Patagonia is divided into three main geographical areas - the mountain Andean, the central plateaus, and the coastal lowlands. The climate is dry, windy, and mostly continental, with colder winters and summers that can be rather hot. Typically for Patagonia, when outfitting for a fishing trip, think layers with a strong windproof outer shell, and be sure to pack some sun screen. Chubut attracts thousands of tourists every year. Some of the most popular attractions are found on the shores, where marine wildlife preserves offer whale, seal, and penguin sightings. Other points of interest include petrified forest near Sarmiento, a large Welsh community (Welsh being a semi-official language in the province), ski resorts, and of course numerous glacier lakes and rivers. The Chubut province contains most rivers and lakes in Patagonia, which offer legendary brown, rainbow, and brook trout fishing. Click to learn more about fishing in Argentina

The province of Chubut has a rich marine fishing industry, mostly from its administrative capital, the port of Rawson, but the fishery is of a commercial nature, and inshore and offshore fishing charters are barely existent. The recreational fishing industry in Chubut is focused on its legendary trout rivers and lakes. The province’s rivers, many of which are fed by Andean glaciers, provide excellent fly fishing for wild trout. From the Chibut River, which gave the province its name (which by the way means “transparent” in the native language of Teheuelche, and more than adequately describes the stream’s waters), to the Corvocado and the Futaleufú River, with its strong currents and deep pools, the province offers a one-of-a-kind fishing experience. The lakes of Chubut also hold large trout, with Lago Puelo and Lago Rivadavia known for producing impressive specimens. Backcountry fishing in Chibut, with outfitters occasionally using helicopters to drop anglers to the most remote rivers and valleys, is also outstanding.

Chubut’s freshwater fisheries are dominated by trout, with brown, rainbow, and brook trout thriving in the province’s cold, oxygen-rich rivers and lakes. The brown trout in particular grow to impressive sizes, with some specimens exceeding ten pounds in the deeper waters of rivers like the Futaleufú. Rainbow trout are more abundant and provide thrilling action, especially for fly anglers who enjoy surface strikes during seasonal hatches. Brook trout, while less common, can be found in some of the more secluded streams and high-altitude lakes, rewarding those willing to explore off the beaten path. In addition to trout, Chubut is one of the few places in Argentina where anglers can target landlocked Atlantic salmon, particularly in the Corcovado River. These powerful fish provide a unique challenge, requiring patience and skill to hook and land. On the Atlantic coast, hake and shrimp are abundant, and species like sharks, sea bass and corvina are common, but, as mentioned, recreational fishing opportunities in the ocean are few and far between.