
Photos: Janitoalevic (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Al norte de El Chalten, rumbo al límite, Lago del Desierto se esconde entre bosque andino y montaña, con aguas frías y transparentes muy distintas al turquesa lechoso de los grandes lagos. Un escenario cerrado y verde donde mandan la trucha arcoíris y la trucha marrón.
Se pesca de costa con spinning de señuelos medianos en las bahías y desembocaduras, y muy a gusto con mosca, tirando secas y ninfas en el agua clara o streamers cuando conviene bajar; embarcado se cubren las orillas de bosque. En términos generales, el verano y el principio del otoño son la mejor ventana, aprovechando las mañanas quietas antes de que el viento baje de la cordillera. Un lugar remoto, de selva fría y picos nevados, para pescar con la vista tan ocupada como la caña.
Anzuelo sin rebaba obligatorio; pesca embarcada a remo solo con mosca; prohibido el trolling; LD 2 ejemplares. Afectado por Didymo (desinfeccion obligatoria).
At Lago del Desierto (Santa Cruz) you can catch Brown trout, Rainbow trout.
Original text in Spanish: “Se accede desde El Chalten por el camino que remonta el valle del río de Las Vueltas hasta la cabecera del lago; el tramo final es de ripio, así que planificá tiempos y consultá el estado del camino.”
Original text in Spanish: “Corresponde el permiso de pesca de la provincia de Santa Cruz, que se gestiona online, en la Dirección de Pesca o en comercios habilitados; si el sector se aproxima al Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, conviene confirmar qué reglas rigen allí.”
Now 3° · wind 1 km/h S
Base data: Wikidata (CC0)
| Season | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown trout. In season: NOV–APR. Peak: MAR–APR | Off | ||||||||||||
| Rainbow trout. In season: NOV–APR. Peak: MAR–APR | Off |
Dark: each species' peak months. Medium: its season at this place.
Gear is chosen according to the environment and the expected size. A versatile, concrete setup:
Spinning (general use, rivers and lakes):
Fly fishing:
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:
Guides, campsites and places to stay that work these waters.
No guides listed in this area yet.
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Original text in Spanish: “Anzuelo sin rebaba obligatorio; pesca embarcada a remo solo con mosca; prohibido el trolling; LD 2 ejemplares. Afectado por Didymo (desinfeccion obligatoria).”
In October the species of Lago del Desierto are past their best moment. Off season does not mean there is a closed season.
In Lago del Desierto it is worth going when its main species bite: Brown trout (NOV–APR); Rainbow trout (NOV–APR).
Near Lago del Desierto PESQA lists one place to stay: La Bahía Lodge.
Lago del Desierto is in the province of Santa Cruz.
Spinning (general use, trout of 1 to 3 kg):
Fly:
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.