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Trout Season and Fishing Rules for Futaleufú, Yelcho and Palena

In short: In Palena province (Futaleufú, Yelcho, Palena) salmonid fishing is authorised from November 1 to the first Sunday of May, both dates inclusive, for the 2025-26 to 2028-29 seasons (Res. Ex. 2428/2025). The next season opens November 1, 2026 and closes May 2, 2027.

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

Main rules

Bag limit: 1 Atlantic, coho or chinook salmon per angler per day. The rule sets no trout allowance — treat trout as catch-and-release and confirm with Sernapesca.

Upper Río Futaleufú, from the border to the “Sofía” sector: mandatory release of every salmonid, all season.
Artificial lures (flies) with barbless hooks only. Landing nets max 100 cm long, 70 cm across.
No fishing from bridges or roads, and no night fishing 22:00–06:00.
Didymo biosecurity: avoid felt-soled boots (use rubber soles); soak boats, waders and nets for 5 min in 5% dish-soap, 2% chlorine or 5% salt solution and dry 48 h when changing watersheds.
Nets in fresh water are a crime. Report to Carabineros 133.
A Sernapesca licence is required for Chilean and foreign anglers (exempt: under 12, over 65, and people with a disability registered in the Registro Nacional de la Discapacidad); carry it while fishing.

Elsewhere in the Los Lagos region the general rule (D.S. 320/1981) opens the season on the second Friday of November; Palena province waters open earlier, on November 1.

Official sources

Sernapesca phone: 800 320 032. Rules can change: always confirm with Sernapesca before you fish.

Frequently asked questions

When does the fishing season open in Palena province?

On November 1, and it closes on the first Sunday of May, both dates inclusive, under Res. Ex. 2428/2025, which covers the 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.

How many fish can I keep on the Futaleufú and Palena?

1 Atlantic, coho or chinook salmon per angler per day. The rule sets no trout allowance — treat trout as catch-and-release and confirm with Sernapesca.

Which hooks and lures are allowed?

Artificial lures with a single barbless hook only. The app also notes landing nets of at most 100 cm long and 70 cm across.

Can I fish at night or from a bridge?

No. The resolution bans fishing from road or highway bridges that cross the water and fishing between 22:00 and 06:00.

Is any stretch of the Futaleufú catch-and-release only?

Yes: the upper Futaleufú, from the international border to the Sofía sector, requires release of every salmonid all season.

Do I need a fishing licence?

Yes. Law 20.256 (art. 6) requires a recreational fishing licence for Chilean and foreign anglers alike, and you must carry it while fishing. Exempt are people under 12, people over 65, and Chilean or resident-foreign people with a disability registered in the Registro Nacional de la Discapacidad; non-resident foreigners get no exemption. You get it through the Sernapesca portal.

Must I disinfect my gear (Didymo)?

Didymo biosecurity: avoid felt-soled boots (use rubber soles); soak boats, waders and nets for 5 min in 5% dish-soap, 2% chlorine or 5% salt solution and dry 48 h when changing watersheds.

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.