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FISHING GUIDE
CHILE TOURS
ANTARCTICA
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Fishing was one of the first and most important activities of early man, because through it he obtained a valuable food source. By definition, this activity may be carried out by native inhabitants or foreigners, and consists of the capture of waterborne living creatures, both in continental and oceanic waters. Its purpose can be recreational, for sport or for tourism, and the gear necessary is personal fishing tackle that varies according to the type of fishing involved.
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Currently, sport-fishing has perfected and diversified its techniques, resulting in different modes that are distinguished by the kind of tackle employed. The items of tackle that vary according to the fishing mode vary from the rod through the hook and/or bait (type of fly).
Sport-fishing is a modern discipline that stresses conservation of species and care of the ecosystem; it is an art teaching one to appreciate and enjoy the peace and harmony of nature, requiring patience and special devotion to the underwater world and its creatures, since these will no longer be the fisherman's victims, but rather his companions in his search for greater knowledge of the world around him. Chile is one of Latin America's main venues for salmon and trout fishing, especially in the Lake Region and Patagonia. Although fishing is possible in the lakes or rivers of the Central zone, population conditions and the irregular flow of the streams and rivers are not ideal for the breeding of trout.  Santiago, September 12, 1995 The National Fishing Service (SERNAPESCA) reporting to the Ministry of Economy, Development and Reconstruction is the agency whose task it is to "ensure and watch over the sustainability and conservation of the country's fishing resources by implementing the national fishing policy and controlling compliance with the fishing regulations" (contained within the General Aquiculture and Fisheries Law). Ruling D.S. N° 539 (1995) of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Reconstruction regulates the personal fishing tackle that may be used in this activity, to ensure the conservation of fishing resources. Generally speaking, personal fishing tackle consists of a line, with or without sinker, provided with hooks, that can be handled directly or by means of a special structure. This ruling forbids the use of traps, trotlines, harpoons, firearms, nets and draghooks, and the installation of fixed fishing systems, among others. Each sport-fisherman may not use more than one set of personal tackle at a time. Ruling D.S. N° 545 (1995) of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Reconstruction regulates the obligation of possessing a valid fishing license for all those who practice this activity. These licenses are issued by the National Fishing Service. There are two kinds of licenses; one for Chilean citizens and foreign residents, and another for foreign visitors. DECREE: Article 1.- In order to carry out sport-fishing activities, fishermen must possess a license enabling them to capture one or more species in a given area, according to the regulations hereunder. Article 2.- The licenses will be issued by the National Fishing Service (hereinafter, the "Service"). Article 3.- The fishing license will be personal and non-transferable, and must be carried while practicing the activity and exhibited at the request of the Service officials, the pro-bono inspectors the Service may appoint, or Chilean Navy and Carabineros (police) personnel, according to the jurisdiction of these two institutions. Article 4.- To calculate the cost of the respective license, the following fishing areas will be differentiated: a. Continental Waters: this includes all interior and land-based waters. Three Regional groupings are considered: I to IV, V to VIII and IX to XII. b. Ocean Waters: this includes territorial seas and the Republic's exclusive economic ocean area. c. Protected Areas: the Cuimilahue, Pescado and Sur rivers, in the X Region. Article 5.- Licenses will be valid for a calendar year as from the date of issue. Sport-fishing is divided into two categories: Fresh-water Fishing This is done on lakes, rivers, ponds and streams where water chemistry enables the proliferation of species such as salmon or trout. Fishing is done with rods, reels, light lines and small bait. When fishing is done in major lakes and reservoirs, the fisherman may stay on shore, or opt for the use of a boat to approach his prey. When fishing in small rivers and streams, special boots and waterproof clothing may be used to approach the places where fish may be found. Salt-water Fishing This is done on the ocean and on the estuaries and rivers that rise and fall with the tides. Generally, fishermen who prefer these places use boats that take them out to sea to start their activity; there is however a beach-fishing mode in which fishermen walk along the shoreline to make their catches. To start on your trip in the fishing world you will have to apply for a license (go to the section of fishing products to make the application), contact an expert who will teach you some techniques, and then go to the right fishing area with all the necessary gear. In the chapter on regulations you will find more information on how to obtain your license, the times of year when fishing is banned and the size of the fish you may catch. Sport fishing in ocean waters Sport fishing may be practiced in ocean waters all year round, and these are some of the main techniques: Jetty Here you fish from rock formations, jetties or protective sea walls, enabling the capture of the species that feed among the rocks. The local species most often captured under this mode of fishing are the rollizo, vieja and cabrilla, among others. Vessel For this type of fishing one uses a shallow draught rowboat or outboard motor boat. The main species caught with this technique are conger eels, blanquillo, cabinza, rollizo and cabrilla, among others. This mode is most highly developed in the north of the country, and can be practiced by day or by night. From Beach or Shore The ideal time for this type of fishing is in the evening or early morning and, as its name indicates, it takes place at the shoreline. The target species in this case are the corvine and the sole. Underwater This is especially practiced in the rocky formations of the northern and central areas of the country. These are some of the species most commonly found in ocean waters: Corvine Lisa Haddock Jurel Sole Pejerrey High Sea This is practiced from a specially conditioned vessel that must necessarily have a special rotating chair (fighting seat), which the fisherman can use to fight the fish, which may be a really large one. The species caught under this mode are bonito and tuna, among others. Sport-fishing in continental waters Drag-fishing or Trolling This method is used from a small moving vessel. The lure, which must imitate the movements of a small fish, is dragged some 30 to 40 meters behind the vessel. The capture will be successful mainly if the ship's speed is right, because on this will depend the speed of the lure in the water. The basic gear required for this mode is a short, flexible rod for easy maneuvering, a long, strong line that will withstand the struggling of a large fish, some lures and a hand net. Lure-casting or Spinning For this type of fishing artificial lures are cast that imitate the movement of a small fish when reeled in. This mode can be used from the shore of the different watercourses or from a boat, and requires a certain level of skill and knowledge of the fish's habits and location, as well as expertise in handling the tackle. For it one needs a flexible rod measuring 1.8 to 2 meters, a front reel, lures and 0.2 to 0.4 mm gauge line. Fly Fishing This method uses an artificial lure (a "fly") made of feathers and imitating a fish or insect. There are two basic types of fly fishing: Dry Fly The "fly" in this case imitates an insect floating on the surface of the water. Wet Fly The "fly" mimics an insect or larva, etc., that has fallen into the water and is under the surface. Just as in the case of lure casting, fly casting requires a good knowledge of the behavior of fish, including their feeding habits, habitat, migration cycles and reproductive cycle, because the fly must be designed based on this knowledge. Catch and Release Fishing This fly fishing mode consists of the catching and immediate releasing of the fish, with the purpose of preserving the species. The most common species of fish in continental waters are the following: Rainbow trout, coffee-colored trout, Pacific salmon, perch trout, Argentine pejerrey and Chilean pejerrey. On releasing the fish Sport-fishing is not predatory. This is why those who practice this sport, after catching a few fish, always return them to their natural environment, especially if they do not come up to the minimum regulated size. The purpose of this is to keep them alive, since through their preservation and their reproduction, they may ensure the species' survival. This makes it very important to remove the hook carefully so as not to injure the fish when releasing it. Chilean waters contain a diversity of fish that, according to temperature and salinity of the water, have been able to adapt to the local conditions and find a suitable habitat. However, as the aquatic fauna is not uniform, we must bear in mind the water composition in every area, so as to know if it is the appropriate habitat for each species. 1. Rainbow trout: this fish belongs to the salmonid family, which is one of the most abundant species in Chile. It is notable for high adaptability to saline waters, so fishermen often come across this species when trolling in the ocean, despite the fact that its preferred habitat is fresh water. -Location: it is found in fresh water from the II Region up to the Straits of Magellan, mainly from the central zone southwards, and especially in rapids and deep lakes. -Color: the rainbow trout varies its coloring according to its environment, size or sexual development. Generally its back is brilliantly colored in tones that merge from coffee to green, it has a silver belly and a purplish-red stripe on either side. -Size: Specimens measuring up to one meter in length have been captured, but generally they measure between 30 and 50 cm. 2. Fario or "Coffee" Trout: this fish is also a member of the salmonid family that mainly inhabits the fresh water lakes, lagoons, rivers and reservoirs. -Location: it can be found from the Aconcagua river up to the Straits of Magellan in water at temperatures between 10º and 15º Celsius. Fario trout mainly inhabit fast-flowing watercourses. -Color: as with the rainbow trout, color depends on the environment, size and sexual maturity of the fish. Its back is a coffee-green hue, and its sides are a much clearer tone with black and red spots. -Size: It can measure up to 80 cm, making it smaller than the rainbow trout. 3. Chilean Pejerrey or Cauque: the pejerrey has a range of sub-species and, though the differences between them are almost imperceptible, these are the main features: -Location: it inhabits lakes and rivers from Norte Chico up to the Straits of Magellan. -Color: most of its body is silvery, with a combination of green-blue hues on its belly. -Size: its maximum length is 30 cm. 4. Tenca: this is an introduced species, featuring a short and elevated body, a small mouth and thick lips. Its skin is thick, with small and unobtrusive scales. -Location: it may be found in the lakes of the central area of our country. It is common in still and even stagnant waters, so it is often found also in muddy ponds and slow-moving rivers. -Color: the color of this species is predominantly green, shifting to black, with small golden flecks on the belly. -Size: usually these fish measure between 30 and 50 cm in length, but may grow beyond 60 cm as adults. 5. Haddock: this fish is elongated and has a round body. It is mainly found in coastal areas. -Location: the haddock inhabits coastal areas from the V to the XI Region. Being a quick swimmer, it is constantly moving from the coastline to the river estuaries. - Color: it is a uniform deep green with black-outlined scales. The basic gear required is: - A rod - A reel - Sinkers - Hooks - Silk or nylon fishing line - Kit box for tackle (for hooks, sinkers, assemblies, tweezers, etc.) - Waterproof boots - Two-piece waterproof suit (trousers and jacket) - A hat as protection against ultraviolet radiation
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