Fish Patagonia › Guides › Bajo Futaleufú Fishing Guide: Species, Months, Flows and Flies
In short: Bajo Futaleufú is a drift-boat river in the Futaleufú area of Palena province, Chile (Puerto Ramírez → Lago Yelcho). Species the app lists: brown trout, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon. Months by the app's general seasonal guide: Brown trout: November to May (peak: November to December and March to May); Rainbow trout: November to May (peak: December to March); Chinook salmon: February to April (peak: February to March). Right now: 332 m³/s (11,724 cfs); the river is in its ideal range on the app's scale.
Guide updated October 27, 2026 · live data Oct 27, 2026, 1:59 PM (Chile)
Wider, gentler water below Puerto Ramírez, running out to Lago Yelcho. Big browns move up from the lake; fish the soft banks, side channels and the river mouth. Flow from the DGA gauge just above the Malito junction at Puerto Ramírez.
The app's suggested gear: 7–8 wt with a 250–300 gr sink-tip for big streamers + a 6 wt dry-dropper for the side channels.
The app's starting estimate (not yet validated by guides): low and clear below 250 m³/s · ideal 250–520 m³/s · high 520–800 m³/s · blown out above 800 m³/s (in cfs: 8,829–18,364–28,252). Right now: 332 m³/s (11,724 cfs); the river is in its ideal range on the app's scale.
In Palena province (Res. Ex. 2428/2025): artificial lures with a single barbless hook only; one Atlantic, coho or Chinook salmon may be kept per angler per day and every other species must be released; no fishing from bridges or roads, and none between 22:00 and 06:00. Always confirm with Sernapesca. See season and rules.
According to the app's seasonal guide: Brown trout: November to May (peak: November to December and March to May); Rainbow trout: November to May (peak: December to March); Chinook salmon: February to April (peak: February to March). This is a general guide: the real timing changes every year with weather and flow.
The app lists: brown trout, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon. In Palena province (Res. Ex. 2428/2025): artificial lures with a single barbless hook only; one Atlantic, coho or Chinook salmon may be kept per angler per day and every other species must be released; no fishing from bridges or roads, and none between 22:00 and 06:00. Always confirm with Sernapesca.
The app uses a starting estimate, not yet validated by guides: low and clear below 250 m³/s, ideal from 250 to 520 m³/s (8,829 to 18,364 cfs), high from 520 to 800 m³/s and blown out above 800 m³/s.
7–8 wt with a 250–300 gr sink-tip for big streamers + a 6 wt dry-dropper for the side channels.
Provisional data and general guidance. Conditions change quickly: scout, check local rules with Sernapesca and use a local guide on big water.