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Lago Arenal

Lake fishing  Costa Rica · 06:20 - 19:04

Lago Arenal is a lake in Costa Rica. The fish here are ranked by weather, water temperature and season, see the likely catch below.

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Fair 26% The bite right now
Top bet: Rainbow Bass (Guapote) Water near its preferred 27 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
68%
24°
Sun
67%
26°
Mon
76%
25°
Best day
Tue
68%
25°
Wed
68%
24°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Rain
Water temp (est.)
27°C
Air temp
23°C
Wind
6 m/s
Pressure
1012 hPa → stable
Clouds
99.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:35–07:35 Day 07:35–17:49 Dusk 17:49–19:49

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing gibbous 87% lit
Major period 20:55–22:55 Major period 08:55–10:55 Minor period 15:25–16:55 Minor period 02:54–04:24

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

19:00
23°
20:00
22°
21:00
22°
22:00
22°
23:00
22°
00:00
22°
01:00
22°
02:00
22°
03:00
22°
04:00
22°
05:00
21°
06:00
21°

Likely catch now (4 species)

Rainbow Bass (Guapote)
Parachromis dovii
26%
Water near its preferred 27 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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Machaca
Brycon guatemalensis
25%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 27 degrees.
Tap for details ↗
Mojarra
Amphilophus citrinellus
25%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 27 degrees.
Tap for details ↗
Nile Tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
22%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 27 degrees.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Lago Arenal is a lake in Costa Rica.

Popular catches here include Rainbow Bass (Guapote), Machaca, Mojarra and Nile Tilapia.

Rainbow Bass (Guapote) fishing is usually best around Jan-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A national or regional fishing permit is generally required here. Check the local rules. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Tips right now

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

You need a fishing permit (fiskekort) to fish here. Buy it online:

Fishing licence (overview)

About this water

Lake Arenal is a lake in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It is the largest lake in Costa Rica at 85 square kilometres (33 mi2). Its depth varies between 30 and 60 meters seasonally.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Lake Arenal Northern Highlands, Guanacaste/Alajuela · 2.1 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 36.5 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 37.6 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 37.9 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 38.8 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 44.6 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 46.8 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 47.9 km away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lago Arenal?

Popular catches here include Rainbow Bass (Guapote), Machaca, Mojarra and Nile Tilapia.

Do you need a fishing license at Lago Arenal?

Usually yes. Most countries require a national or regional fishing permit. Check the local rules via the link on this page.

When is the best time to fish Lago Arenal?

Rainbow Bass (Guapote) fishing is usually best around Jan-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lago Arenal right now?

Right now Rainbow Bass (Guapote) is the most likely catch, at about 28%.