
Ambient photo: Thomas Parker — via Pexels
Muy cerca de la laguna Pichún, en el centro-oeste neuquino, la Ralihuén es un espejo de truchas entre mallines, en un paisaje de pastizales húmedos y bosque de transición. De aguas frías y calmas, reúne trucha arcoíris, trucha marrón y trucha de arroyo en un ambiente serrano y poco visitado.
Se pesca de costa con equipo liviano: spinning ultraliviano con cucharas y minnows chicos en los veriles, y mosca con secas y ninfas cuando el agua se anima al atardecer, con streamers para tentar las piezas más grandes en las juntas de agua fresca. Las truchas de arroyo aparecen prendidas a los bordes de mallín y al monte hundido. En términos generales, de la primavera al comienzo del verano y otra vez en otoño se dan los mejores momentos, y las primeras y últimas horas del día son las más nobles. Un destino tranquilo de mallines, ideal para sumar a un recorrido junto con la Pichún.
Prohibida navegación a motor y trolling. Desde 1 abr 2026: devolución obligatoria de todos los salmónidos.
At Laguna Ralihuén (Neuquén) you can catch Brook trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout.
Original text in Spanish: “Está en el centro-oeste neuquino, muy cerca de la laguna Pichún, entre mallines y bosque de transición; se accede por caminos rurales y de ripio. Consultá localmente por los accesos y el estado del camino.”
Original text in Spanish: “Necesitás el Permiso de Pesca Continental Patagónico, que se saca online y en casas de pesca u oficinas de turismo. Revisá el reglamento vigente antes de pescar.”
Now 8° · wind 4 km/h E
| Season | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook trout. In season: NOV–APR. Peak: MAR–APR | Off | ||||||||||||
| 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.
For a species of 0.5 to 2 kg that lives in cold streams and lagoons, the ideal gear is light and sensitive, allowing you to enjoy the fight and present small lures and flies with precision.
Spinning:
Fly:
Round it out with barbless hooks if you are going to practice catch-and-release, a hook-removal tool (forceps), a soft-mesh (rubber) net so as not to harm the fish, and waders if you are going to wade into the cold water.
Gear is chosen according to the environment and the expected size. A versatile, concrete setup:
Guides, campsites and places to stay that work these waters.
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There are already 48 businesses loaded in the area. If yours is not there — or it is and you are not running it yet — the listing is free and puts you in front of whoever is planning a trip to Laguna Ralihuén.
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Original text in Spanish: “Prohibida navegación a motor y trolling. Desde 1 abr 2026: devolución obligatoria de todos los salmónidos.”
In October the species of Laguna Ralihuén are past their best moment. Off season does not mean there is a closed season.
In Laguna Ralihuén it is worth going when its main species bite: Brook trout (NOV–APR); Brown trout (NOV–APR); Rainbow trout (NOV–APR).
Yes: PESQA lists 3 guides working Laguna Ralihuén, among them Ruka Diak, Montaña Negra, A.t.a. Milagrito.
Near Laguna Ralihuén PESQA lists 44 places to stay: Carén - Cabañas & Suites - Villa Pehuenia, Cabañas Bahíamía, Cabañas Complejo Patagonia.
Laguna Ralihuén is in the province of Neuquén.
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:
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.