Everything you need to know about sport fishing in Colombia

Colombia is a privileged country. Its topography gives rise to numerous hydrographic streams throughout the territory, making it one of the most attractive places for sport fishing. Below, we present the best places to engage in this activity in Colombia.

Sport fishing is a recreational practice that involves attracting, catching, and releasing fish. Enthusiasts of this sport flock to the rivers, lakes, and seas of Colombia, equipped with fishing gear such as rods, reels, lines, hooks, lures, and bait.

After spending hours in nature, admiring the beautiful landscapes of the country, they attract species such as sailfish, payara, pirarucú, and giant catfish to photograph them and then let them swim free in the crystal-clear waters of Colombian watersheds.

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What are the places to practice this activity in Colombia?

The country offers the possibility to fish in freshwater or saltwater. Each has its charm, not only due to the difference in landscapes but also because of the variety of fish swimming in its waters. Recommended sites for this activity include: the Amazon basin, which includes the Amazon, Putumayo, and Caquetá rivers. The most common species seen swimming in these waters are peacock bass, payara, and catfish. However, the charm of this basin goes beyond this activity, as while you wait for a fish to “bite” your hook, you can get a close-up view of the beautiful pink dolphins.

The Orinoco basin, made up of the Orinoco, Guaviare, Meta, Inírida, Guayabero, Bita, and Tomo rivers, in the plains of Colombia. This region of the country is considered one of the richest for river sport fishing, as it is home to some of the largest fish species such as peacock bass, arowana fish, dogfish, and ray catfish, among others.

Atlantic basin, composed of the Magdalena, Cauca, Atrato, Sinú, San Jorge, and Carare rivers. Common species include nicuro, blanquillo, catfish, capaz, picuda, pataló, and dorado, among others.

The Cundiboyacense region, Antioquia, Santander, and Nariño. In the mountains of these departments, lagoons and rivers are born where freshwater fishing can be practiced, especially rainbow trout fishing.

Pacific Coast, where saltwater fishing, also known as maritime fishing, can be practiced. The Pacific Ocean witnesses the migration of numerous species throughout the year, especially sardines, making it one of the preferred regions in Colombia for lovers of this sport. Species that can be caught here include sailfish, dorado, tuna, snapper, sierra, and snook.

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Photo by Rocksweeper

This type of fishing is one of the preferred activities for travelers.

Fishing lodges: places to connect with nature

Fishing lodges offer the chance to have a vacation with all the comforts of a hotel, but in the middle of the jungle. Moreover, since these lodges are located by the rivers, it is possible to engage in this activity at any time of the day.

 

One of the most well-known lodges is located in Tucunare, by the Vichada River, in the Colombian plains. Unlike other fishing areas, Tucunare is situated in a protected region, home to the Sikuani community. The Vichada River is one of the least explored for this activity, so if you are lucky, you might find fish weighing up to 26 pounds.

If you are looking for an experience by a lagoon, you can visit the fishing lodges located in the Cundiboyacense region, Nariño, and Santander. One of the most famous is Piedra Parada, on the way to Cúcuta, where you can stay in pods in the countryside and fish for rainbow trout weighing more than 6 pounds.

Discover: Learn about other nature and adventure activities you can do in Colombia.