What can you catch at Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú?

At Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú (Río Negro) you can catch Argentinian silverside (pejerrey), Creole perch, Brown trout, Rainbow trout. Allowed styles: Reservoir.

How do you get to Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú?

Sobre el Limay en la zona de Piedra del Águila, se llega por el corredor de la RN 237 y sus accesos a la costa del embalse. Consultá localmente las bajadas y los sectores habilitados.

Do I need a permit or license to fish at Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú?

Necesitás el Permiso de Pesca Continental Patagónico, disponible online y en casas de pesca u oficinas de turismo. Revisá el reglamento vigente antes de pescar.

Is there a closed season or fishing restrictions at Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú?

Devolución obligatoria de la trucha marrón y percas.

Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú, Río Negro — fishing, guides and bookings

Un gran espejo de estepa sobre el río Limay, entre Neuquén y Río Negro, en el corredor de Piedra del Águila. El Pichi Picún Leufú es un embalse extenso de aguas abiertas y costas peladas, un ambiente de mezcla donde conviven especies de agua templada y salmónidos: hay pejerrey, perca, trucha arcoíris y trucha marrón.

La pesca es variada según lo que busques. Al pejerrey se lo trabaja a la boya, con brazada de mojarra o señuelo blando en las bahías calmas. La perca responde a señuelos chicos y lentos pegados al fondo, cucharitas y grubs sin apuro, noble y aguantadora. Para las truchas va bien el spinning y el trolling en los veriles y las puntas, y la mosca en las desembocaduras. En términos generales, de la primavera al comienzo del verano andan mejor los salmónidos, mientras que perca y pejerrey estiran la ventana buena a lo largo del año. El viento de la estepa manda: elegí la costa reparada.

The pejerrey is a medium-sized fish with a delicate mouth, so the tackle leans to the fine and sensitive side. A recommended setup:

Rod: light action (light / ultralight), from 1.80 to 3.00 m depending on the method. For float fishing from shore a longer rod helps to cast and to register the bite; for spinning with micro-lures, a short, sensitive fast-action rod. A soft tip is key to cushioning the fragile mouth.
Reel: small spinning reel (size 1000 to 2500) or a light baitcaster, with a smooth, well-adjusted drag. The smoothness of the drag prevents the mouth from tearing during the fight.
Main line: fine nylon of 0.20 to 0.25 mm, or light braid (4 to 8 lb) for spinning, which gives maximum sensitivity to detect the subtle bite.
Leader: nylon or fluorocarbon finer than the main line, 0.18 to 0.22 mm. Fluorocarbon is less visible underwater and helps in clear water.
Hooks: small and of good quality, matched to the pejerrey's reduced mouth; staggered on the line to gauge depths.
Accessories: fine, sensitive floats or corks, light sinkers to regulate depth, and a soft mesh net if you are going to release fish, to handle them with the least possible harm.

The philosophy of the tackle is simple: the finer and more sensitive it is, the more bites you will detect and the more you will enjoy the fight of this silver fish.

Light spinning with small spoons, micro-jigs and soft plastics, or fly with small streamers. Bait: worm. It keeps company with the trout in Patagonian lakes and rivers.

Gear is chosen according to the environment and the expected size. A versatile, concrete setup:

Spinning (general use, rivers and lakes):

Rod: 1.80 to 2.10 m, medium / medium-fast action, light to medium power (4–12 lb line). For large lakes or very big browns, step up to medium-heavy.
Reel: front-drag size 2500–3500, with a good drag and smooth retrieve.
Line: braided line 0.12–0.20 mm (approx. 10–20 lb) for sensitivity and hookset power, or 8–12 lb monofilament in smaller environments.
Leader: fluorocarbon 0.25–0.35 mm (approx. 8–15 lb), low-visibility and abrasion-resistant against rocks and structure. Go finer with the leader if the water is clear and the brown is wary… but beef it up if there is a lot of cutting structure.

Fly fishing:

Rod: #5–#6 line for a medium river and dry/nymph fishing; #7–#8 for streamers, the Patagonian wind and large specimens.
Reel: with a good drag and backing, matched to the line weight.
Lines: floating (WF) for dry and nymph; sink-tip or full sinking line for streamers in pools and lakes.
Tippet/leader: tapered ending in 3X–5X for dry/nymph; a stouter 0X–2X for streamers and big fish.

Recommended accessories: rubber net (less harm to the fish for release), forceps for removing hooks, barbless hooks, and waders for safe wading in cold water.

The gear is matched to the setting and the size of trout you are after, but these setups cover most situations in Argentina:

Spinning (general use, trout of 1 to 3 kg):

Rod: 1.80 to 2.10 m, medium to medium-fast action, light to medium-light power (casting lures of roughly 3 to 12 g).
Reel: front-drag, size 1000 to 2500, with a progressive, smooth drag—key to withstanding the runs and jumps without breaking off.
Line: fine braid of 8 to 15 lb for its sensitivity and lack of stretch, or nylon/mono of 6 to 10 lb if you prefer something more forgiving for the hookset.
Leader: a section of fluorocarbon of 0.20 to 0.28 mm; fluoro is less visible underwater, which matters in Patagonia's crystal-clear water.

Fly:

5-6 weight outfit: the most versatile for river rainbows in Patagonia (dries, nymphs, and small streamers). A 9-foot rod.
7-8 weight outfit: recommended for big-trout waters like Strobel/Barrancoso, heavy streamers, and strong wind.
Leader and tippet: a 9-foot tapered leader finished in 3X to 5X tippet depending on the fly size and how selective the fish is.

For trophy specimens (5-10+ kg at the Strobel): step up the power—medium/medium-heavy spinning with 15-20 lb braid and a robust fluoro leader, or a 7/8 fly outfit—because these are fish with strength and runs far superior to the average trout.

In every case: a well-adjusted drag, sharp hooks (barbless if you are going to release), and a rubber net to handle the fish with the least possible harm.

Season	IDX	NOW
Argentinian silverside (pejerrey). PEAK JUN–AUG	70	Excellent
Creole perch. PEAK NOV–JAN	15	Off
Brown trout. PEAK MAR–APR	15	Off
Rainbow trout. PEAK MAR–APR	15	Off

Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú

Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú

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