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Man-made
Lakes of Puerto Rico:
There are
no natural lakes in Puerto Rico, all these 'lakes' are reservoirs
formed by damning the rivers. (There is only one significant river
left in Puerto Rico that is not damned). The Puerto Rico government
agency that oversees all fresh and salt waters resources is called
'Departamento de Recursos Naturales' (dept. of natural resources)
you can write for more information to: Aileen Vasquez Coordinator,
Aquatic Resources Education Program, Departamento de Recursos Naturales,
P.O.Box 9066600, Puerta de Tierra, San Juan Puerto Rico 00906-6600
USA Ask for the booklet called 'Guia Para La Pesca Recreativa en
los Embalses de Puerto Rico' and 'Pesca Recreativa en Puerto Rico'
for colored pictures of the different fish. or call Tel. 787-724-8774
ext. 445 and speak to Aileen or Luis Bauzo (or ext. 284 to leave
a message).
They recommend
an 8-12lb. test spinning rod. Record Tilapia is 4.8 lbs. There is
an association of Fishermen of Rivers and Lakes, P.O.Box 2161, Hato
Rey, Puerto Rico 00919 USA, also a Federacion of Lake Fishermen,
P.O.Box 3813, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00919 USA and many local fishing
clubs. The 'tucunare' (Peacock bass) and the 'lobina' (Largemouth
bass) are the two most important sport fish in the fresh waters
of Puerto Rico, because they put up a good fight. Peacock bass were
imported from South America and the Largemouth bass from the US
(1946) You are limited to 8 tucunare and 12 lobina a day. Tucunare
can be caught all day but the lobina bite early morning and late
afternoon.
You need a
permit from the electric company to fish in Lakes Dos Bocas,
Guajataca, Lucchetti & Patillas. You get it from Mr. Manuel Morales,
tel. 722-1208. No water skiing, nor operating any motor larger than
30 horsepower is allowed on any lake. Unfortunately, you cannot
swim in any of the rivers or lakes due to the presence of bilharzia
(unless you are way up in the mountains). It's endemic to the waters
of tropical countries. It does not affect the fish.
You are only allowed to catch fish with a line and hook. You may use up to 3 hooks on a line or 3 hooks on a lure at a time.
• It is prohibited to spear fish with a spear gun or any spear of any type. Using any type of net fishing in fresh water bodies is also prohibited. Using fish traps is also prohibited in fresh water bodies.
Fishing Limits for Fresh Water.
You are allowed only 12 Large Mouth Bass a day and they must be at least 12 inches long each. You are allowed only 8 Peacock Bass a day and they must be at least 12 inches long each.
New Fishing Law.
There is now a new sport fishing law in Puerto Rico, this new law was passed on 12 of March, 2004. the new law states that all fishermen must have a fishing license, even the occasional sport fishermen that fish on the shores of all body of waters in Puerto Rico.
According to Dept. of Natural Resources, these licenses will be available in their 7 Regional Offices. There will also be available in the future in some stores that sell fishing equipment and will be sold by a automatic teller machines.
. . . for fishermen that who are not residents of Puerto Rico, the one year license will be $35.00 and there will be other options for a fishing permit for a week and one day only. The new recreational law also states that minors of 14 years of age do not need a license if they are accompanied by a adult with a fishing license and recreational fishermen over 60 years old do not need a recreational fishing license, just a identification proving their age.
These regulations may have changed since this page was created, please check locally for current regulations.
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The
Lakes:
Lago
Carite (124 hectares.) generates electricity and a potable water
source. Largemouth bass, Bluegill sunfish, catfish, tilapias & Threadfin
shad. Between Cayey & Guayama. Access: #741 or #179 then # 7741
then to end of #742.
Lago
Guayabal (500 approx.. hectares)generates electricity. Bluegill
sunfish, catfish, sagas (a native fish) & tilapias. Between Juana
Diaz & Villalbal. Access: Road # 149 or #550 to #557.
Lago
Patillas (128 hectares) *(good fly-fishing of peacock bass), sunfish,
catfish, guavinas y tilapias. Just north of Patillas. Access off
#181 & #184.
Lago
Guajataca (526 hectares) Very lovely lake. Largemouth bass, sunfish,
white catfish, tilapias & Threadfin shad. Access off #119.
Lago
Matrullas (31 hectares) generates
electricity. Very good fishing of *largemouth bass (higher elevations)
also, Bluegill sunfish & catfish. Just north of Toro Negro, one
of Puerto Ricos' two highest lakes. Access off # 564 (#590)
Lago
Dos Bocas (257 hectares) generates electricity. Sunfish, Largemouth
bass, catfish, tilapias & Threadfin shad. Between Utuado & Arecibo.
Access off #123 & # 146. Ferry service on this beautiful lake from
the municipal dock. You can also go to one of several restaurants
across the lake on their boats. You can stay at the nearby Hotel
Casa Grande.
Lago
Las Curias (12 hectares) For water storage. Largemouth bass, peacock
bass & sunfish. Access off #176 behind Monte Hiedra.
Lago
Cidra (257 hectares) Fish may be contaminated.
Lago
Caonillas (283 hectares) to generate electricity. Good fishing of
Largemouth bass, also sunfish, catfish, tilapias & Threadfin shad..
Near Utuado off roads #140, # 613 & # 607.
Lago
Loco (.25 hectares) to generate electricity. Largemouth bass, peacock
bass, bluegill sunfish, guavinas, catfish & tilapias. Just west
of Yauco. Access: off # 368.
Lago
Lucchetti ( Yauco) (108 hectares) to generate electricity. Very
good fishing for *Peacock bass (lower elevations), also sunfish,
catfish, guavinas & tilapias. Just north of Yauco. Access off #
128.
Lago
Loiza ( Carraizo) (111 hectares) To generate electricity. Potable
water storage. Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish & tilapias. Plague
of aquarium fish someone dumped in (pleco). Between Trujillo Alto
& Caguas. Access off # 175.
Lago
Guayo (115 hectares) To generate electricity. Largemouth bass &
bluegill sunfish. West of Adjuntas.
Lago
Yahuecas (20 hectares) generates electricity. Largemouth bass &
sunfish.
Lago
La Plata (405 hectares) *Good fishing of Largemouth bass, Peacock
bass, sunfish, catfish, tilapias & sardines. Just north of Naranjito.
road # 827, # 8827.
Lago
Garzas (37 hectares)
generates electricity. Good fishing of Largemouth bass, also bluegill
sunfish, redear sunfish, white catfish & Threadfin shad. Just south
of Adjuntas. Access off # 518. Small hotel in Adjuntas 2 blocks from the plaza is a nice place to stay.
Lago
Guineo (22 hectares) to generate electricity. Largemouth bass &
bluegill sunfish. One of the two highest lakes. Very lovely with
tall mountains around it. Access by hiking trail from Toro Negro
Reserve off # 143.
Lago
Melania . (128 hectares) Fishing includes Largemouth bass, sunfish,
catfish, guavinas, dajaos (a native fish) & shrimp. Just south west
of Guayama. Turn off of #3.
Lago
Cerillos (just north of Ponce) newly constructed.
Lago
Coamo. filled up, scummy. http://www.argentinachileflyfishing.com |
