The fishing spots we can access are located within the area of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the vicinity of San Carlos de Bariloche, a city that offers a wide hotel infrastructure, a varied gastronomic proposal and numerous recreational activities. This National Park is home to some of the most diverse and interesting waters for fishing, which allows us to choose from a wide range of rivers and lakes depending on the stage of the season and the specific fishing conditions of each environment.

This National Park is home to two large watersheds: both the Atlantic and the Pacific, which gives us access to an extraordinary variety of fishing scenarios. The Atlantic basin is home to the emblematic Limay River, where we can fish approximately 34 miles, covering between 6 and 9 miles per day. On the other hand, the Pacific basin -commonly known as the Manso basin- is characterized by its imposing landscapes and multiple floatable stretches, as well as small lakes with excellent conditions for dry fly fishing, especially during the months of December and January. This diversity makes Nahuel Huapi National Park an ideal environment for different fishing preferences throughout the season.

Map of the National Park

Don’t miss our interactive maps on sections Limay River and Manso River

The waters we usually fish are: 

• Upper Limay River

• Lower Manso River

• Mid Manso River (with multiple stretches suitable for floating and fishing).

• Hess Lake

• Roca Lake

• Fonck Lake

• Los Moscos Lake

• Mascardi Lake

The fishing season is usually divided into three periods: start, peak, and end. The start runs from November 1 to mid-December, when water and air temperatures begin to rise. From that point on, the peak of the season begins, lasting until approximately the end of February or mid-March. Finally, the end runs from then until the end of April or May, depending on the specific environment. The Manso basin closes on May 1st, while the Limay River remains open until May 31st. Then, in the winter season, fishing opportunities are reduced to two environments, Lake Moreno and the Alicura Reservoir, which offer both excellent fishing opportunities for those who cannot wait for the start of the next season.

Beginning

At the beginning of the season, rivers and lakes have high flows due to winter rains and the beginning of snowmelt in the mountains. During this period, trout—fresh from spawning—are actively feeding to regain the weight lost during the spawning season. Aquatic insect activity is still low due to the cold temperatures, so fishing techniques with streamers and sinking lines predominate. In rivers and lakes, it is especially interesting to fish in low-lying areas or flats, where good fish populations are concentrated. At the begging and end of the day, it is not uncommon to have opportunities for finer fishing with emergers or dry flies, especially of the orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies) and Diptera (midges), consistent with the still low temperatures of the season. The Manso basin offers the unique attraction of allowing you to catch brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the same day.

Mid-Season

In mid-season, with the sustained rise in temperatures, surface activity improves significantly, especially in the Manso basin, where the famous dragonfly hatch occurs. This phenomenon, which in my opinion is the park’s greatest attraction, allows for spectacular fishing with large dry flies, in search of very combative trout. This hatch occurs mainly between the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January, concentrated during the hottest hours of the day. At the beginning and end of the day, fishing becomes more technical and varied, with the option of using streamers, nymphs, or more delicate dry flies. Towards February and early March, with the progressive decline in water levels and the decrease in the dragonfly hatch, fishing becomes more demanding: smaller streamers, nymphs, or dry flies are used, with opportunities for fishing on caddis hatches at the end of the day standing out.

End of Season

During the end of the season, from mid-March onwards, migratory trout fishing in the Limay River stands out. At this stage, it is possible to catch large specimens of both rainbow and brown trout. Although it is technically very challenging fishing, the results can be extremely rewarding, allowing you to set or break personal records. Meanwhile, in the Manso basin, the last month of the season offers a surge in activity, with a special focus on brook trout (fontinalis), which begins to migrate to colder waters in preparation for its reproductive cycle.

Gear and Techniques

Given the diversity of aquatic environments and fishing techniques offered by the region—and especially considering the frequent presence of moderate to strong winds—equipment with a #6 line is the most versatile and reliable option. However, having #5 or even #4 equipment can also be extremely rewarding for tackling the more delicate fishing mentioned above, provided that wind conditions allow it, particularly in areas such as the Manso River basin. It is essential to have both a floating line and a fast-sinking line, preferably at least Fast-IV, with Fast-VI probably being the most commonly used. Both river basins offer good conditions for more modern fishing techniques, especially fly fishing or “euro-nymphing,” which can be practiced at any time of the season. 

Flies

When it comes to flies, it is recommended to bring a varied selection that includes streamers—such as Woolly Buggers, Rabbits, Matukas, and Minnows—in sizes ranging from #2 to even #8 to be prepared for certain more difficult situations. It is also essential to have classic nymphs of different sizes and weights to cover different situations. Here it is important to have odonata nymphs (dragonfly and damselfly). To take advantage of hatches, a good variety of dry flies and emergers, such as Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Adams Parachute, will be essential. In addition, especially for the peak of summer, it is highly recommended to add a selection of attractor dry flies —Chubby Chernobyl, Fat Albert, Gypsy, and similar— in sizes between #6 and #10, and in different color tones. Finally, for the Manso basin, imitations of adult dragonflies and damselflies are a must. Take a look at our Blog for more on Flies.