What can you catch at Laguna Vaca Lauquen?

At Laguna Vaca Lauquen (Neuquén) you can catch Argentinian silverside (pejerrey), Creole perch, Brown trout, Rainbow trout. Allowed styles: Lagoon.

How do you get to Laguna Vaca Lauquen?

Departamento Minas, en la altura del norte neuquino; se llega por caminos de montaña y ripio. Consultá localmente el estado del camino y las condiciones antes de subir.

Do I need a permit or license to fish at Laguna Vaca Lauquen?

Rige el Permiso de Pesca Continental Patagónico, que sacás online o en casas de pesca y oficinas de turismo. Revisá el reglamento vigente de la temporada antes de salir.

Is there a closed season or fishing restrictions at Laguna Vaca Lauquen?

LD: 1 trucha arco iris, 2 percas y 5 pejerreyes. Pejerrey hasta 15 ago 2026. Desde 2 may 2026: devolución obligatoria de todos los salmónidos.

Laguna Vaca Lauquen, Neuquén — fishing, guides and bookings

Espejo de altura en el norte neuquino, en el departamento Minas: la Laguna Vaca Lauquen es una laguna de montaña variada, con trucha arcoíris, trucha marrón, perca criolla y pejerrey. Esa mezcla la vuelve un destino de altura poco común.

Para las truchas conviene spinning con cucharitas y agonía en los veriles, y mosca de secas y ninfas en las orillas calmas al atardecer. La perca pide señuelos chicos y lentos pegados al fondo, cucharitas o grubs sin apuro; es noble y aguantadora. El pejerrey se busca en las aguas más calmas y templadas, a flote con boya y brazada, con mojarra o señuelo blando. En términos generales, de la primavera al comienzo del verano son los mejores momentos para las truchas, mientras que perca y pejerrey dan una ventana más amplia a lo largo de la temporada. Laguna generosa y abierta, ideal para variar modalidades en un mismo día.

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

Laguna Vaca Lauquen

Laguna Vaca Lauquen

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