PESCAMAPA

Fly fishing in San Martín and Junín de los Andes: season, permit and rules for the Chimehuín and Malleo

Chimehuín, Malleo and Quilquihue in south-west Neuquén. The 2026/27 rules by river, the non-resident permit and how people get there.

By Equipo Pescamapa · Updated · Regulations checked 30 October 2026

Species
Techniques
Fly fishing · Light spinning · Drift boat floats · Catch and release
When
1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027 on the rivers; some lakes until October 2027.

Weather in the area

Wind and rain

  • Last 3 days: max wind 31 km/h, rain 0.2 mm
  • Today and the next days: max wind 31 km/h, rain 3.3 mm

Weather: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Data captured on 3 November 2026.

Junín de los Andes and San Martín de los Andes, in the south-west of Neuquén, are the historic base for fly fishing in northern Patagonia. Three rivers run close by: the Chimehuín, the Malleo and the Quilquihue, with the Collón Curá and the Aluminé a little further out. This page covers the 2026/27 rules, the permit and how people get there. It is a planning guide: confirm everything with your operator and the provincial authority before you travel.

The permit and what it costs

Fishing permits for the 2026/27 season are sold online on the Neuquén hunting and fishing portal. The season starts on 1 November 2026 and runs for a year, although some waters close on 1 May 2027. You need your ID, or your passport if you are a non-resident foreigner. Values announced by the provincial Fauna Directorate on 16 October 2026, in Argentine pesos:

  • Non-resident foreigners: one day AR$ 50,000; ten days AR$ 140,000; whole season AR$ 280,000. Residents of bordering countries: ten days AR$ 50,000.
  • Argentine residents: one day AR$ 12,500; ten days AR$ 25,000; season AR$ 50,000.
  • Trolling (an extra permit on top of the ordinary one): AR$ 25,000 per day, AR$ 50,000 for ten days, AR$ 100,000 for the season.
  • Preferential zone (Zone I of the Chimehuín and the whole Correntoso): an extra AR$ 12,500 per day, AR$ 25,000 for ten days or AR$ 50,000 for the season, as announced on 16 October 2026. The annex text on the regulation site lists AR$ 10,000, AR$ 20,000 and AR$ 40,000 for the same permits, which may be last season’s figures: confirm when you buy.

The Río Negro permit portal shows the same numbers. According to the Neuquén and Río Negro annexes of the 2026/27 regulation, the Patagonian fishing permit is valid in Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and the National Parks: a permit bought online needs its QR code and your ID, with no extra stamp. Additional permits (trolling, preferential zones) are valid only where they are issued, a wording we saw in an excerpt of the general regulation: confirm it when you buy. The Neuquén annex bans hiring fishing guides who are not authorised tourism providers of the province (it is an offence), so check the provincial list before you book.

Rules by river, 2026/27

These are the entries of the 2026/27 annex for Neuquén, which we read in a copy hosted by a third party because the official site did not answer. Dates, limits and zones can change: ask your operator which rules apply on the day.

  • Chimehuín (1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027). Zone I, from the outflow of the lake to 250 m downstream of the signed bridge, is a preferential zone with a compulsory additional permit: fly only, barbless hook, and every fish must be released. Zone II, from the end of Zone I to the confluence with the Collón Curá: fly, spinning and spinning with a fly-weight lure; bag limit of one perch; all salmonids released; single barbless hook.
  • Malleo (1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027). From the National Park boundary to the Route 23 bridge: fly only and every fish released. From the Route 23 bridge to the Aluminé: fly or light spinning, one perch, all salmonids released, barbless hook. The part inside Lanín National Park is covered by the National Parks annex.
  • Quilquihue (1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027). From the mouth to the end of the lagoon: fly or light spinning, two perch, all salmonids released, barbless hook. From the end of the lagoon to the Chimehuín: fly and spinning, single barbless hook.
  • Collón Curá and Aluminé rivers: two perch, all salmonids released, single barbless hook, same season.
  • Huechulafquen and Lolog lakes (inside Lanín National Park): bag limit of two salmonids; felt-soled wading boots are banned in the National Park waters we read.

In general, “release” in these entries means every salmonid goes back alive, and a single barbless hook is the norm. The Correntoso River is also a preferential zone along its whole length, with the same additional permit and no navigation. Where the annex says nothing about felt soles, as in the Neuquén entries, we found no ban, but the National Parks annex bans felt soles water by water: the safe choice is rubber soles. Always disinfect your gear against the Didymo alga.

Getting there

The nearest commercial airport is Chapelco, at San Martín de los Andes; the usual route from Buenos Aires is a flight of about two hours, according to Tipiliuke Lodge. Tipiliuke places itself 22 km from Junín de los Andes and 35 km from San Martín, and about three hours by road from Bariloche along the Seven Lakes Road. The last stretch to the lodge is a 6 km gravel road. These are the operator’s own times: do not plan a tight connection.

When to go

The general season starts on 1 November 2026 and the annex entries above close on 31 May 2027. Tipiliuke describes its own fishing season as early November to May. The Neuquén tourism ministry mentions local events such as the Fiesta Nacional de la Trucha and the Fiesta Provincial de las Marrones Migratorias; we have no confirmed dates yet.

Lodges and outfitters

Below are the ones we found with public information; we have not contacted them yet, which is why they are marked. Tipiliuke does not publish a rate: it asks you to write through its booking form. We show no prices because we have confirmed none with an operator.

Indicative calendar

WhenWhat to expect
November2026/27 season opens (1 November 2026).
Until MayRivers in the annex close on 31 May 2027; some waters close on 1 May.

Licence, closures and regulations

General Regulation of Continental Sport Fishing of Patagonia, 2026/27 season. Annexes for the environments of Neuquén and of the National Parks read on 30/10/2026 in copies hosted by a third party (AICACYP); the official site did not answer. Permits at cazaypesca.neuquen.gob.ar; 2026/27 values from the Provincial Fauna Directorate (16/10/2026). The validity of the Patagonian permit was read in the Neuquén and Río Negro annexes (texts copied from the regulation site by the owner on 30/10/2026); the general rules (felt soles) were not read in the general 2026/27 text.

Authority: Dirección Provincial de Fauna de Neuquén

Last checked: 30 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the authority before you go.

Guides and lodging

Tell us what you are looking for and we will connect you with guides and lodging in San Martín and Junín de los Andes. We build listings from public information and correct them with each provider; prices, when shown, are dated.

Lodging

Tipiliuke Lodge

Lodge in the lower Chimehuín valley, ten minutes from Chapelco airport, with nine rooms and fly fishing on the Chimehuín and Quilquihue (operator's description). It publishes no rate: it asks you to write through its booking form.

Fishing styles
Fly fishing (flycast)

Price: on request

Public information, not yet checked with the provider. Is this your business? Ask us to correct or remove it. · Source: tipiliuke.com

Ask about availability

All San Martín and Junín de los Andes listings on one page: fishing guides in San Martín and Junín de los Andes →

How to choose a guide: what to ask before booking

  1. Style: does the guide fish bait, spinning/baitcasting or fly? Pick one who specialises in what you want to do.
  2. Boat and gear: what boat, how many anglers it takes, which engine (horsepower, bow electric motor)? Casting platform, fish finder? Is tackle provided?
  3. What is included: bait, meals, fuel, lodging, transfers. Get it in writing, with the price.
  4. Timing rules: the month decides the fishing. Ask what works on your dates, at what river level and water temperature.
  5. The place: where the lodging is, boat ramp, distance to the fishing areas and the overall setting.
  6. References: photos of recent trips and anglers who have been. If you can, talk to the owner or operator.

Put together from what local guides and operators told us.

To read before you go to San Martín and Junín de los Andes

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Frequently asked questions

Which permit do I need in Junín de los Andes and how much is it?

The Neuquén fishing permit, bought online on the province's hunting and fishing portal. For non-resident foreigners in 2026/27: one day AR$ 50,000, ten days AR$ 140,000, season AR$ 280,000 (Argentine pesos, announced on 16 October 2026). Confirm the current amount before you pay.

When does the season start?

On 1 November 2026. The rivers in the annex we read close on 31 May 2027, and some waters close on 1 May.

Is an additional permit needed for the Chimehuín?

For Zone I (from the outflow of the lake to 250 m downstream of the signed bridge) and for the whole Correntoso, yes: they are preferential zones with a compulsory additional permit. The announced 2026/27 values are AR$ 12,500 per day, AR$ 25,000 for ten days and AR$ 50,000 for the season; the annex text lists lower figures, so confirm the amount when you buy.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

In Zone I of the Chimehuín, on the Malleo above the Route 23 bridge and on the other rivers we read, all salmonids are released. Only perch can be kept, within the daily limit of each stretch. Check the stretch you will fish before you go.

What hook and method are allowed?

A single barbless hook on the stretches we read. Fly only in Zone I of the Chimehuín and on the Malleo above the Route 23 bridge; elsewhere, fly and light spinning with a fly-weight lure.

Is a permit from another Patagonian province valid?

Yes. The Neuquén and Río Negro annexes of the 2026/27 regulation say the Patagonian fishing permit is valid in Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and the National Parks; a permit bought online needs its QR code and your ID. Additional permits (trolling, preferential zones) are valid only where they are issued, according to an excerpt of the general regulation we saw: confirm it when you buy.

Can I wear felt-soled wading boots?

Not in the National Park waters we read (for example Huechulafquen and Lolog). We found no ban in the Neuquén entries, but rubber soles are the safe choice. Disinfect your gear against the Didymo alga.

How do I get there from Buenos Aires?

The nearest commercial airport is Chapelco, at San Martín de los Andes, about two hours by air from Buenos Aires according to Tipiliuke Lodge. From Bariloche it is about three hours by road, according to the same operator.

How much does a lodge trip cost?

Tipiliuke publishes no rate and asks you to write through its booking form. We have no current rate confirmed with any operator, so we publish none.

Where do I find authorised guides?

The Neuquén tourism ministry publishes the list of authorised fishing providers, and hiring a guide who is not on it is an offence under the Neuquén annex. Check the list before you book.

Sources consulted (13)