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Best Time to Fish Futaleufú, Yelcho and Palena

In short: The season runs November to May. By the app's guide, rainbow and brown trout are fished November to May, with the best months December to March (rainbow) and November to December and March to May (brown); Chinook salmon show up January to April. These are general windows, not a guarantee.

Guide updated October 27, 2026 · live data Oct 27, 2026, 1:59 PM (Chile)

Months by species

• Rainbow trout: November to May (peak: December to March)
• Brown trout: November to May (peak: November to December and March to May)
• Brook trout: November to March (peak: November to January)
• Chinook salmon: January to April (peak: February to March)
• Coho salmon: March to May (peak: April to May)
• Atlantic salmon: January to May (peak: February to April)

What's active, month by month

From the app's hatch calendar: insects and prey at a moderate or strong level.

• November: Baitfish (streamers), Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies and Pancora crab
• December: Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies, Cantaria beetle, Cicadas, Pancora crab and Baitfish (streamers)
• January: Caddis, Dragonflies and damselflies, Cantaria beetle, Mayflies, Hoppers, Cicadas and Pancora crab
• February: Caddis, Dragonflies and damselflies, Hoppers, Cantaria beetle, Mayflies and Pancora crab
• March: Mayflies, Hoppers, Caddis, Stoneflies, Dragonflies and damselflies, Cantaria beetle, Pancora crab and Baitfish (streamers)
• April: Baitfish (streamers), Mayflies, Stoneflies and Pancora crab
• May: Baitfish (streamers)

Waters in this guide

• Alto Futaleufú
• Futaleufú Medio
• Bajo Futaleufú
• Río Azul
• Río Espolón
• Río Chico
• Río Palena
• Río Yelcho
• Lago Yelcho
• Lago Espolón

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to fly fish the Futaleufú?

By the app's guide the Futaleufú fishes from November to May; rainbow trout peak in December to March and brown trout in November to December and March to May. These are general months: each year's weather and flow decide.

When do Chinook salmon run the Yelcho and lower Futaleufú?

The app lists Chinook from January to April, with the best months February to March. In Palena province one salmon per angler per day may be kept; confirm with Sernapesca.

When can you fish for trout in Patagonia?

In Palena province, from November 1 to the first Sunday of May (Res. Ex. 2428/2025).

Which insects are active in December and January?

December: Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies, Cantaria beetle, Cicadas, Pancora crab and Baitfish (streamers). January: Caddis, Dragonflies and damselflies, Cantaria beetle, Mayflies, Hoppers, Cicadas and Pancora crab.

Open the live app →

Provisional data and general guidance. Conditions change quickly: scout, check local rules with Sernapesca and use a local guide on big water.