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Lake Arenal

Lake fishing  Northern Highlands, Guanacaste/Alajuela · 06:29 - 19:02

Lake Arenal is a lake in Northern Highlands, Guanacaste/Alajuela. Anglers here fish mainly for Nile Tilapia, Machaca and Mojarra.

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Prime 74% The bite right now
Top bet: Nile Tilapia Active through the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
72%
25°
Thu
75%
24°
Best day
Fri
72%
22°
Sat
71%
23°
Sun
75%
24°
Mon
71%
23°

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.)
28°C
Air temp
22°C
Wind
6 m/s
Pressure
1011 hPa → stable
Clouds
100.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:44–07:44 Day 07:44–17:47 Dusk 17:47–19:47

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

Feeding times today

Last quarter 65% lit
Major period 04:05–06:05 Major period 16:05–18:05 Minor period 22:08–23:38 Minor period 10:33–12:03

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

07:00
22°
08:00
22°
09:00
22°
10:00
22°
11:00
23°
12:00
24°
13:00
24°
14:00
26°
15:00
25°
16:00
26°
17:00
25°
18:00
24°

Likely catch now (4 species)

Nile Tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
74%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees.
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Machaca
Brycon guatemalensis
71%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees.
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Mojarra
Amphilophus citrinellus
71%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees.
Tap for details ↗
Rainbow Bass (Guapote)
Parachromis dovii
52%
Water near its preferred 28 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

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

Nile Tilapia 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.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Timing This is a prime window for nile tilapia at the day. Fish hard 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

Lago Arenal Costa Rica · 2.1 km away Laguna Poco Sol Costa Rica · 28.0 km away Río Frío Costa Rica · 30.9 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 32.9 km away Río Frío Costa Rica · 33.2 km away Río Frío Costa Rica · 35.6 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 37.3 km away Río Pocosol Costa Rica · 37.8 km away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Arenal?

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

Do you need a fishing license at Lake 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 Lake Arenal?

Nile Tilapia fishing is usually best around Jan-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Arenal right now?

Right now Nile Tilapia is the most likely catch, at about 34%.